Prince George's County officer hurt after car hit amid death probe of off-duty corporal in Accokeek

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ACCOKEEK, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - A police officer was injured Friday morning during a crash in Prince George's County while investigating the death of an off-duty school resource officer.

The incident happened around midnight in the Accokeek area along Route 210 (Indian Head Highway) and Beech Lane.

Authorities say several officers responded to the scene to shut down roads in the area as part of the investigation when an SUV struck one of the cruisers. The officer inside was hospitalized and is in stable condition. The driver of the striking vehicle was also taken to the hospital and authorities said charges are pending against the driver.

Officials say off-duty Corporal Patrick "P.J." Mann of the Charles County Sheriff's Office was found dead inside his personal vehicle after it ran off the roadway along Route 210. Mann was a school resource officer assigned to St. Charles High School in Waldorf.

"P.J. was a great school resource officer who was dedicated to the safety and well-being of students. He was beloved by everyone who knew him. He was invested in the success of students and was a part of the Distinguished Dozen program in which he dedicated his time to mentoring a select group of students on academics, manners, life-skills and so much more. We are in the process of gathering more details, but for now I simply ask that you keep P.J., his family, his school resource family, students and staff with Charles County Public Schools, and his brothers and sisters at the Charles County Sheriff's Office in your thoughts and prayers," said Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry in a statement.

Prince George's County police said Mann's death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to the crash.

Parts of Route 210 were closed for several hours following the crash.

Indian Head Highway is one of the most dangerous roads in Prince George's County and there have been more than 1,000 crashes on it in the past three years. More than 60 people have reportedly died in crashes on Indian Head Highway in the past 11 years.

Three children were killed and their parents seriously injured after an impaired driver rear-ended their vehicle on Indian Head Highway on Dec. 30, according to officials. Following the fatal crash, law enforcement and officials declared they would step up efforts to make Indian Head Highway safer.

Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said the county would step up traffic enforcement on the roadway and look for long-term solutions.

Del. Kriselda Valderrama, sponsored the bill that put the first and only speed camera on Indian Head Highway at the intersection of Old Fort Road in 2018, said she would push for more speed cameras along the roadway following the Dec. 30 crash.