Holly MatkinBowie, MD – An off-duty DC Metropolitan Police Department (MDP) officer was hospitalized with critical injuries after he was struck by a vehicle while leaving a grocery store on Friday morning.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of a Shoppers supermarket located in the 10500-block of Martin Luther King Junior Highway at approximately 10:40 a.m. on Sept. 30, WTTG reported.
The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGCPD) said a car crashed into the veteran off-duty officer as he was walking out of the store.
The officer was rushed to UM Capital Region Medical Center in Largo, WDVM reported.
He was later identified as MPD Officer Kenneth Daniels, according to WUSA.
Police described his injuries as “critical,” according to WTTG.
Officers said they located a driver who they believe was involved in the hit-and-run crash.
It is unclear if the driver is in custody or if the driver intended to hit the off-duty officer.
“We are praying for our MPD brother during this time,” the MPD said in a statement after the incident, according to WTTG. “Please send your thoughts and prayers to him and his family while we learn more about his condition.”
MPD Chief Robert Contee told reporters that Officer Daniels, a 23-year veteran of the MPD, was out shopping with his mother when the incident occurred.
“I want to extend my appreciation to the men and women of the Prince George’s County Police Department who acted very quickly in this matter to go to the aid of one of our off-duty police officers,” Chief Contee said, adding that the PGCPD immediately reached out to him to let him know that one of his officers had been hurt.
He said there was “CPR in progress” when he received the call.
“He’s actually a friend of mine – a good friend of mine,” Chief Contee noted.
Officer Daniels serves on the department’s Violent Crime Suppression Unit.
Chief Contee said the officer’s family is with him at the hospital, where he was listed in stable condition after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, WUSA reported.
The investigation into the incident remained ongoing.
#breaking Off-duty DC police officer in critical condition after being struck in a parking lot on MLK Jr Ave in Bowie pic.twitter.com/to5AAfin5a
— Darcy Spencer (@darcyspencer) September 30, 2022
#Breaking Off-Duty DC Police officer struck by a vehicle at Vista Gardens Marketplace on the 10500 block of Martin Luther King Jr Hwy. The officer was transported to the hospital in critical condition. #MPD pic.twitter.com/BjWPW50wAh
— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) September 30, 2022
OFFICER STRUCK, CRITICAL HIT-&-RUN at the Shoppers Food, 10501 MLK Jr. Hwy in Mitchellville. DC officer hit by black Toyota RAV4 which has been located with the suspect in the parking lot. pic.twitter.com/ePZcLyQAnk
— killmoenetwork™ (@Killmoenews1) September 30, 2022
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