Howard County, MD. – A 26-year-old man, identified as Biik Chong, 26, of Halethorpe, Md. was killed yesterday, January 30, 2017, after the vehicle he was driving was struck by a car that minutes earlier had fled from a trooper who attempted to stop it for speeding in Howard County, according to police.
Police said that Chong was exiting a restaurant parking lot at around 1 a.m when his Dodge Charger was hit in the driver’s side door by the fleeing Honda.
Chong and his passanger, Lian M. Kung, 44, were both transported to Shock Trauma with serious injuries where Chong was pronounced dead. Kung is being treated for her injuries.
The driver of the 2007 Honda Accord that struck Chong’s car is identified as Natalia Diaz-Valle, 18, of Jessup, Md, according to police. Both Diaz-Valle and her passenger were transported to the UMD R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center where they were treated and released, according to police. Upon their release, both were transported to the Maryland State Police Waterloo Barrack.
Phillip L. Dorsey, The passenger in the fleeing vehicle, was later charged with drug violations as a result of the ongoing investigation. Officials said that Dorsey, of Jessup, Md, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officials said that the charges were filed after more than 120 suspected Xanax pills were found hidden on Dorsey when he arrived at the hospital. Dorsey was later transported to the Howard County central booking center where he will await an initial appearance before a court commissioner, according to police.
Police said that the incident began just before 1:00 a.m. yesterday, as a trooper in a marked Maryland State Police patrol car was monitoring traffic in the area of eastbound Rt. 100 near Snowden River Parkway, when a vehicle entered radar at a speed of 70 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. The trooper activated his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the Honda Accord, said police. The driver of the Honda, later identified as Diaz-Valle, immediately accelerated and quickly took the exit for Rt. 103, said police.
Within seconds, the trooper lost sight of the vehicle, but continued on in the same direction. Minutes later, the trooper came upon the scene of the crash on Rt. 103, just east of Rt. 1.
The preliminary investigation indicates speed and alcohol are possible contributing factors. Investigators are in contact with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office. Charges are pending, but have not been filed at this time.
The investigation into the fatal crash is being continued by troopers at the Maryland State Police Waterloo Barrack, who are being assisted by investigators from the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division. Troopers are applying for a search warrant for the vehicle Dorsey was in. Additional charges are possible.
Troopers continue to consult with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office as this investigation progresses. Charges against the at-fault driver, Natalia Diaz-Valle, are pending further investigation and a subsequent review by the State’s Attorney’s Office.