Elkridge Woman Arrested After Multi-County Chase Crossing Prince George's County

Maryland State Police arrested Naturi Michon Hayes, 24, of Elkridge after a multijurisdictional vehicle pursuit that moved from Virginia into Prince George’s County and concluded in Howard County. Authorities say the pursuit began shortly before midnight on December 29 when a Virginia State Police pursuit entered Maryland on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

According to law enforcement, once the suspect vehicle entered Maryland, the driver rammed a marked Virginia State Police patrol vehicle, causing that patrol vehicle to strike a concrete barrier. A trooper was taken to a local hospital and later released, authorities reported. The suspect vehicle continued into Prince George’s County before crashing in Howard County near Washington Boulevard and Meadowridge Road. Hayes fled on foot but was arrested without incident.

Maryland State Police said the Maryland State Police Aviation Command assisted in tracking the vehicle during the response. Hayes faces multiple charges including first-degree assault, attempt by driver to elude a uniformed police officer, failure to stop after an accident, and aggressive or reckless driving. The investigation is ongoing.

For Prince George’s County residents, the episode underscores the operational challenges and public safety stakes when pursuits cross jurisdictional lines. The involvement of Virginia State Police, Maryland State Police, and Howard County demonstrates the need for swift interagency communication and resource sharing, including aerial support, to manage risks to motorists, pedestrians, and officers. The hospitalization and subsequent release of a trooper in this case will likely factor into prosecutors’ charging decisions and could inform future policy discussions on pursuit practices and officer safety protocols.

Traffic on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and connecting corridors can be vulnerable to disruption when pursuits enter the state, raising concerns for commuters and emergency response planning. Local officials and public safety leaders will be watching the criminal case and the ongoing investigation for any findings that could affect pursuit policies or cooperative procedures among neighboring jurisdictions.

Authorities have not released additional details about injuries to others or the precise timeline of movements within Prince George’s County pending the continuation of the investigation. Residents with information about the incident are encouraged to contact law enforcement with relevant tips.