Verdict in for man who ran over Montgomery Co. officer while going more than 100 mph

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Verdict in for man who ran over Montgomery Co. officer while going more than 100 mph

Ciara Wells | [e-mail]
April 11, 2025, 7:36 PM

The 21-year-old man charged with intentionally running over a Montgomery County, Maryland, police officer was found not guilty of attempted murder but guilty of 13 other charges related to a crash that caused Sgt. Patrick Kepp to lose both of his legs.

A jury on Friday found Raphael Mayorga, who was 19 at the time of the 2023 crash, guilty of second-degree assault, failure to return to and remain at the scene of a crash and multiple counts of fleeing and eluding police. … The jury acquitted Mayorga of the most serious charges of attempted murder and first-degree assault.

“I am so deeply disappointed,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said in a statement following the verdict. “You should not be able to drive at outrageous speeds and go free because we can’t chase you. Senseless incidents like this should not occur in our County or anywhere. This jury missed an opportunity to deliver a serious message to those who use our roads like a racetrack.”

Mayorga, of Frederick, was speeding in a green Dodge Challenger on Interstate 270 in October 2023 when Montgomery County police officers attempted to stop him. … Police knew who Mayorga was due to his previous traffic violations. Former Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said it was a tactic he had often used in the past “to provoke officers.” … While laying down stop sticks on the road to deflate the car’s tires, Kepp was struck by Mayorga, who driving over 100 mph. The officer survived the crash, but had to have both of his legs amputated as a result of his injuries.

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[Deuxcents]

1. Good grief! Wonder what his punishment is gonna be.