Trooper in critical condition following I-70 crash

WEST FRIENDSHIP, Md (WMAR) - A Maryland State Trooper is in critical condition after his cruiser collided with a tree on I-70 at Route 32.

According to Jackie Cutler, spokesperson for the Howard County Fire Department, the Trooper had to be extracted from the vehicle and flown to Shock Trauma where he remains in serious condition.

The trooper is identified as Corporal Matthew Telep.  According to Greg Shipley, spokesperson for Maryland State Police, Telep is assigned to the JFK barrack and is a five-year-veteran of the department.

Telep's injuries are believed to be non-life threatening, Shipley added.

A preliminary investigation revealed that  Telep was in uniform and in a marked patrol car.  

Investigators do not know why Telep's car veered off the side of the roadway, but an eyewitness reported another car cutting the trooper off.

The State Highway Administration reported all east bound lanes were closed at the time of the accident, causing major rush hour delays.  The roads reopened around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Shipley tells ABC2 News that he believes Telep was returning home after escorting an oversized load from Baltimore to Western Maryland earlier today.