Maryland State Trooper fatally shoots driver while being dragged down interstate

ELKRIDGE, Md. — A Maryland State Trooper fatally shot a driver who sped off during a traffic stop, dragging the officer nearly 2,000 feet down the interstate.

The trooper, a three-year veteran who has not been identified, pulled over Julio Cesar Moran-Ruiz, 36, a suspected impaired driver, around 2 a.m., WJZ reported.

Investigators said the trooper called for backup to help with a field sobriety test, which is standard procedure. As the troopers approached the vehicle, the officer on the driver’s side saw numerous alcoholic beverages in the car. He asked Moran-Ruiz several times to get out of the vehicle.

Preliminary information concerning the trooper-involved fatal shooting on I-95 in Howard Co. early today is available at https://t.co/C9qUdBLtqQ
I-95 NB remains closed from Rt 100 to Balto Co line. Traffic being diverted onto Rt 100. SB I-95 remains open. #MDTraffic
— MD State Police (@MDSP) August 28, 2020

Moran-Ruiz gave the trooper a fake name and refused to exit. He then put the car into drive and sped off, officials said. The trooper reached into the car and tried to remove the key from the ignition but Moran-Ruiz accelerated.

The trooper yelled for Moran-Ruiz to stop repeatedly. As he feared for his life, the trooper shot the driver and was thrown from the car and into the median. The trooper was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released.

Moran-Ruiz was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both troopers are on paid administrative leave while officials investigate the incident.