Police believe that a fellow officer who died following a car accident in Anne Arundel County may have tried to commit suicide with a gun shortly before the crash.
Brian Johnson of Bladensburg died on Saturday, April 27 after his vehicle crashed head-on into another vehicle along Route 100 in Pasadena. However, the Medical Examiner’s office in Baltimore has ruled his death a suicide after finding a gunshot wound to his chest.
Johnson, age 38, was traveling eastbound on Route 100 near Catherine Avenue when his police cruiser crossed the center median into oncoming traffic. The cruiser collided head-on with a westbound vehicle around 9 a.m. Saturday.
Johnson suffered critical injuries and was transported to Baltimore Washington Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators initially said it appeared that Johnson was suffering from a medical emergency that led to the crash; they later discovered the gunshot wound.
Johnson, who was off-duty at the time of the crash, was a nine-year veteran of the Bladensburg Police Department. He was a private first class involved in police investigations and was headed home after working the night shift when the accident happened. It appears that he shot himself while behind the wheel.
Johnson was also a volunteer for the city’s fire department for at least 15 years. Friends referred to him as “Big J,” and the town’s mayor issued a public condolence to the family and friends.
Johnson is survived by his wife Keri, three children, and other family and friends.
The driver of the other vehicle involved in the Anne Arundel County crash was treated for minor injuries and released.
The Maryland car crash lawyers of Nickelsporn and Lundin express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Johnson’s family and the community of Bladensburg for their loss.