A Potomac man is facing charges after he allegedly struck and injured a Montgomery County Department of Transportation employee working in Fairland in October and then fled the scene and the U.S., Montgomery County police said Thursday in a statement.
Police are awaiting the extradition of Ricky Rohan Kapoor, 30, who was arrested Saturday on a warrant at Virginia’s Dulles International Airport by Customs and Border Protection agents as he returned to the U.S. from Colombia, the statement said. Kapoor is being held at the Loudon County Detention Center in Virginia.
Kapoor was charged with failure to return and remain at the scene of an accident involving bodily injury. According to police, the charge can result in a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Digital court records related to the case and attorney information were not available Thursday morning in the Maryland court system database.
According to police, officers responded to the area of Briggs Chaney Road and Legend Oaks Drive shortly after 9 a.m. Oct. 24 for the report of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian, police said in the statement.
A county transportation department employee working at the location was allegedly struck by the driver of a 2006 silver Infiniti sedan, later identified as Kapoor, according to police. The worker was transported to a local hospital with “serious injuries.”
Transportation department Director Chris Conklin said in a statement emailed Thursday to MoCo360 that he was thankful for the police department’s “diligent investigation” and subsequent apprehension of the suspect in the collision.
“Driver vigilance is needed to avoid tragedies such as this from occurring,” Conklin added. “It is imperative that drivers slow down and take extra precautions around work zones to show well-deserved respect for our public workers. These men and women face consistent risks in their jobs as they work to better the community, and they deserve to return home safely.”
In November, Emily DeTitta, the department’s public information officer, said in a statement to MoCo360 that the department was “devastated” by the event. She said the employee was hit by a car when it left the roadway and was then flown to a shock trauma unit at an area hospital. As of late October, the employee was recovering in the hospital. DeTitta did not provide an update the employee’s condition Thursday morning.
After the collision, police said, Kapoor left the scene of the crash “without attempting to render aid to the victim” and ultimately left the country for Bogotá, Colombia.
“Filing charges in this case was the critical first step, but we also need to look at addressing the broader safety concerns,” Montgomery County police Chief Marc Yamada said in Thursday’s statement.
“It is everyone’s responsibility when they get behind the wheel of a car to make sure they are doing everything they can to keep all road users safe, especially our vulnerable road users. These types of tragedies are absolutely preventable.”
The statement shared several tips and reminders for drivers when approaching a work zone:
- Slow down: Reduced speed limits are posted for a reason. Workers are often very close to traffic, and a slower speed gives drivers more time to react.
- Be alert: Stay focused on the road. Avoid distractions like texting or using your phone when driving through work zones.
- Follow road signs: Pay attention to signs and traffic cones that indicate lane closures, detours, or workers in the area. These are there to guide drivers safely through the zone.
- Maintain a safe distance: Keep plenty of space between your vehicle and construction workers, machinery and other vehicles. This ensures that you have room to react to unexpected situations.
- Yield to workers: Always yield to flaggers and construction personnel. They are directing traffic to keep everyone safe.
- Expect the unexpected: Work zones can change daily, with new obstacles or lane configurations. Always stay prepared for sudden changes in traffic patterns.
