Volunteer fire chief charged with negligent and reckless driving after fleeing traffic stop twice

A volunteer fire chief for the Silver Hill Fire Department in Prince George's County was arrested after he fled a traffic stop on two separate occasions in Waldorf.

The Charles County Sheriff's Office says officers responded to the 2500 block of Lisa Drive at around 4:50 a.m. for a report of a man threatening to slash the tires on his girlfriend's car. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the suspect, identified as 49-year-old Matthew Reginald Fowler, in his personal silver Ford F-150 truck.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Fowler, but officials say he fled the area. Officers began to pursue him, but they stopped when he entered Prince George's County.

At around 6:11 a.m., the sheriff's office received a call that Fowler had returned to Lisa Drive. Officers responded to the area, but the suspect fled again -- this time in a fire department-marked Ford Explorer. After a pursuit, officers were able to take Fowler into custody after he stopped about a mile away, according to the sheriff's office.

Fowler was charged with 49 traffic violations, which include negligent driving and reckless driving.

The investigation is ongoing, officials say.