Crime & Safety

Glenarden Man Killed in Fiery Crash, Officer Wounded in Attempted Rescue

One Prince George's County police officer suffered burns to his hands and face trying to save the victim as flames shot skyward and black smoke poured across the highway.

 

A 70-year-old Glenarden man was killed when his SUV crashed into a guardrail on Martin Luther King Jr. Highway in Landover despite the efforts of three police officers who tried to free him from the wreckage, according to police. 

Prince George's County police arrived on the scene shortly after the midday crash Monday to find the vehicle engulfed in flames and the driver, Rodwell McNeill, Jr. of Glenarden, trapped inside. (See video here.)

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Three officers attempted to free McNeill from the wreckage. One officer, a 21-year veteran of the force, suffered burns to his face and hands trying to rescue McNeill, police said. Police said second officer attempted to break the windshield of the vehicle but was forced back by the flames. 

Officers were unable to free McNeill, who perished in his car. 

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There were no other cars involved in the crash. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, though police say speed is thought to have been a factor. 


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