Transparency: Anne Arundel County Police Chief Addresses Indictment of Officers

Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal Awad has released a statement on the indictment of the two officers on misconduct charges. 

Chief of Police Awad says Corporal K. Schnell and Corporal E. Vasquez were indicted and issued criminal summonses for misconduct in office related to a fatal crash that occurred in Pasadena on Dec. 7, 2023. "We reviewed the evidence available to them and are not aware of any criminal conduct on the part of their officers."

The indictment comes following a year long investigation conducted by the Attorney General's Office. In a statement, officials said the Independent Division (IID) of the Office of the Attorney General investigated the fatal crash.  

The decedent was identified as 22-year-old Damione Gardner of Baltimore. 

"An initial review of evidence indicates that a 4-door sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed on the Stoney Creek drawbridge. The vehicle’s front lights were turned off," the release said. "Two Anne Arundel County Police Department patrol vehicles followed seconds behind the sedan, both traveling at high rates of speed without their emergency lights activated. Shortly after the sedan and officers left the bridge, the sedan crashed into  utility pole at the intersection of Fort Smallwood and Bar Harbor Roads at approximately 12:06 a.m."

 Gardner was reportedly pronounced dead on scene. The driver was transported with life-threatening injuries to an area hospital. None of the officers were injured.

We respect the judicial process, however, it is important to remind our community that an indictment is merely an accusation and not a finding of guilt, and our officers are presumed innocent until proven guilty," Chief Awad said.