Drunk Driver Attempts to Run Over Trooper
Then Unsuccessfully Tries to Elude Police

PRINCE FREDERICK ---   On Monday night, March 22, 2004, at approximately 9:40 PM, a small Ford pick-up was reported to be operated
by a drunk driver.  The suspect vehicle was observed traveling north on Rt. 2-4, south of Prince Frederick, MD.  Lieutenant B. P. Cedar,
Commander of the Forestville Barrack, attempted to locate the vehicle. He learned that the suspect turned right onto Old Field Lane.  Lt. Cedar
positioned his unmarked unit at Main Street and Old Field Lane to intercept the suspect vehicle.  The suspect, later identified as Abel
Vonzell Johnson, 40 years old of Prince Frederick, stopped his truck in front of Lt. Cedar's vehicle.  At this same time, TFC S. M. Keen,
operating K9-14, came up behind the suspect's truck.  It appeared Johnson was going to cooperate.

Lt. Cedar exited his patrol vehicle to make contact with Johnson.  As Lt. Cedar approached, Johnson accelerated and steered into the direction
of Lt. Cedar.  Lt. Cedar narrowly missed being struck by the Ford. Johnson proceeded north on Main Street, with K9-14 and Lt. Cedar in
pursuit.  Johnson traveled down Armory Road, Fairgrounds Road, then onto eastbound MD Rt. 402 (Dares Beach Road).  Throughout the chase he
exceeded the posted speed limits and turned off his lights to avoid detection.    Speeds on Dares Beach Road exceeded 90 MPH in the posted 40
or 50 zones.   The suspect drove into the Chesapeake Heights/Bayside Forest subdivision and drove down several small streets, attempting to
elude his pursuers.  Johnson then abruptly stopped the truck and ran on foot.   He was promptly captured without incident.

Johnson was intoxicated.  Neither Johnson nor police personnel were injured during this incident.  Johnson was charged with Assault (1st
Degree) incident to attempting to run Lt. Cedar over.  He was also charged with numerous traffic violations (DUI, Fleeing & Eluding,
Excessive Speed, etc...).  He was incarcerated in the Calvert County Detention Center pending a commissioner's hearing.  Of note, Johnson was
currently out on bond incident to another set of fleeing and eluding charges from St. Mary's County, MD.