Man Charged with Hit and Run After Crash Involving Ambulance

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – Maryland State Police have charged a man with a hit and run, after he reportedly drove away after crashing into an ambulance on Route 140 last week.

Police have identified the man as Gregory M. Jones, 68, of Westminster. He has been charged with failure to stop after an accident, involving damage to an attended vehicle.

Police say it happened on September 23, just before 1:30 p.m. as troopers from the Maryland State Police Westminister Barrack, as well as fire and EMS units were on the scene of a crash on westbound Rt. 140 and Sandymount Road. All police and fire vehicles had their emergency lights on, and a marked trooper car was blocking the left turn lane, and the first lane of westbound Rt. 140.

While police were conducting their investigations, a car struck a Westminster Fire ambulance, striking it on the passenger side. Witnesses say they saw a Chrysler convertible drive around the patrol car blocking lanes, drove into the median, and back into the lane. As the car moved through the scene, the driver struck the Westminster ambulance.

No one was injured, although a Westminster Fire official did report that one of the staff members did have to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the car.

A witness obtained a tag number from the vehicle and provided it to State Police and lead investigators to Jones, through the car's registration. The investigating trooper drove from the scene to Jones' residence and found him and the Chrysler 200 there. The car had damage to the passenger side. Jones was arrested and transported to Central Booking Center where he was issued the traffic citations.

Maryland State Police would like to remind drivers to be mindful of authorities in road investigations. Maryland state has a "move over" law that requires drivers, if they can, to move into an open lane away from police, fire, EMS, and road crews attending to roadside emergencies. If an open lane isn't available, drivers should at least reduce speed. The "move over" law helps to keep safe space for authorities while they are working.

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