State Trooper Uses Patrol Car to End Chase on I-95 in Harford County After U.S. Marshals Issue Alert (UPDATED)

A car chase raced through areas of Route 40 in Edgewood and Interstate 95 Tuesday afternoon before a state trooper used his patrol car to stop the suspect, moments after the fugitive attempted to run over deputies and smash into civilian motorists.

According to Maryland State Police, federal marshals Tuesday issued a lookout for a silver Ford Taurus with Virginia plates in the Harford area. The vehicle was driven by Brandon L. Pegram, 23, of Stoney Creek, Va., who was believed to be armed with a handgun and a shotgun, according to state police. Police said Pegram had reportedly held his family hostage yesterday and threaten to harm any law enforcement officers who attempted to capture him.

Sheriff’s deputies spotted Pegram’s vehicle at approximately 2:47 p.m. on Route 40 at Gateway Drive, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Harford County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Monica Worrell said.

The vehicle fled the deputies, police said, and traveled down Route 40 towards Baltimore County. Sheriff’s deputies were joined in the pursuit by state troopers from the Bel Air Barrack as well as Baltimore County officers. The vehicle exited Route 40 onto Whitemarsh Boulevard and proceeded onto I-95 northbound back towards Harford County.

The chase came to a dramatic end just before the entrance to the Maryland House rest area, when Pegram attempted to ram citizen vehicles and nearly struck two sheriff’s deputies. Police said Pegram attempted to strike one of them a second time by driving his vehicle directly at the deputy, who dived out of the way.

“Upon observing these deliberate assaults on citizens and the deputies, a State Police sergeant used his patrol car to impact the suspect’s vehicle, using a ‘pit maneuver’ to force the suspect’s vehicle to the side of the interstate and up against the guardrail,” state police said in a release. “The sergeant then impacted the driver’s side door of the stolen vehicle to prevent the fugitive from escaping on foot.”

When law enforcement officers approached, Pegram resisted arrest and was taken into custody after sustaining minor injuries. He is in Maryland State Police custody at an area hospital. No firearms were found in his vehicle.

Pegram initially faced charges of robbery, felony assault, and kidnapping. He now faces additional charges by the Maryland State Police of first and second degree assault, vehicle theft, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property, and numerous traffic violations.

The full release from Maryland State Police is below, as well as a mug shot of Pegram:

(ABERDEEN, MD) – A Maryland state trooper was forced to use his patrol car to end a multi-jurisdictional pursuit and capture a fugitive who tried to run down deputies this afternoon in Harford County.

The accused is identified as Brandon L. Pegram, 23, of Stoney Creek, Va. Prior to the pursuit this afternoon, he was wanted for robbery, felony assault, and kidnapping. He is now being charged by Maryland State Police with first and second degree assault, vehicle theft, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property, and numerous traffic violations.

Shortly before 3:00 p.m. today, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office received a lookout from the United State’s Marshal’s Service for a stolen silver Ford Taurus driven by Pegram, who was believed to be armed with a handgun and shotgun. Pegram reportedly held his family hostage yesterday and had allegedly threatened to harm any law enforcement officers who attempted to apprehend him.

Sheriff’s deputies spotted the vehicle at Rt. 40 and Gateway Drive and a pursuit ensued that continued into Baltimore County, where troopers from the Bel Air Barrack joined the pursuit, along with Baltimore County police officers. The pursuit continued onto Whitemarsh Blvd., then to northbound I-95.

Just before the entrance to the Maryland House on I-95, the suspect attempted to ram citizen vehicles. Two sheriff’s deputies were on foot after deploying stop sticks. Pegram nearly struck the first deputy, then lost control and traveled across I-95, nearly striking the second deputy. The suspect then appeared to deliberately drive his car directly at the second deputy, who was able to dive out of the way before being hit.

Upon observing these deliberate assaults on citizens and the deputies, a State Police sergeant used his patrol car to impact the suspect’s vehicle, using a “pit maneuver” to force the suspect’s vehicle to the side of the interstate and up against the guardrail. The sergeant then impacted the driver’s side door of the stolen vehicle to prevent the fugitive from escaping on foot.

Police officers approached Pegram and he resisted arrest. Pegram was taken into custody, after sustaining minor injuries. He was taken to an area hospital, where he remains under State Police guard.

No firearms were found in the stolen vehicle being driven by Pegram. No one else was in the vehicle with him.

No citizens or police officers were injured in the incident. The suspect is expected to be treated and released. Upon his release, he will be taken to the Harford County Central Booking Center where he will have an initial appearance before a court commissioner.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the pursuit included the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Baltimore County Police Department, both patrol and air units, the US Marshal’s Service, and state troopers from the Bel Air and JFK Memorial Highway barracks.

Questions regarding why Pegram was originally wanted should be referred to the US Marshal’s Service. The investigation is continuing.