Leonard Wade Zimmerman
Leonardtown, MD – On May 5, 2016, at approximately 11:47 p.m., St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of the Leonardtown Food Lion, for the report of a suspicious vehicle driving in circles in the parking lot. Deputy Ball attempted to conduct a vehicle stop at which time the vehicle fled. The operator of the vehicle later identified as Leonard Wade Zimmerman, age 28, of Mechanicsville, exited the parking lot, committing several traffic violations and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
Zimmerman continued eluding police by traveling south on Route 5, turning onto Fairgrounds Road, and then back to Route 4, where his vehicle left the roadway and drove through a field. Zimmerman continued south on Route 4 before turning onto northbound Route 5. The operator of the motor vehicle continued traveling on Route 5 and turned onto Route 234, continuing towards Charles County.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office was notified and with the assistance of their deputies, an attempt to stop the vehicle was initiated utilizing a rolling roadblock. Zimmerman continued attempting to elude the deputies nearly striking a Charles County Deputy.
Cpl. G. Knott, of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, successfully utilized his patrol car to end the pursuit using a second rolling roadblock maneuver.
Zimmerman refused to exit the vehicle after being stopped. Following a short struggle, he was extracted from the vehicle and transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, where a blood alcohol test was administered before being taken to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.
Zimmerman was subsequently charged with Two Counts of Second Degree Assault, Malicious Destruction of Property and issued multiple motor vehicle traffic violation citations. Additional charges are pending the results of the blood alcohol test.
