UPDATE from Prince George’s County Police Department

Accokeek, MD – Prince George’s County Police Detectives are investigating the death of a man found inside of his car near Indian Head Highway just before midnight Thursday.

Officers responded to a 911 call for a single vehicle that had run off Route 210 and had come to rest in the 17000 block of Beech Lane in Accokeek.  An autopsy this afternoon determined that the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound just prior to the crash.  No other vehicles were struck. 

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division are leading the investigation. We have no further information at this time. 

Any further inquiries regarding the deceased male should contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. 

Additionally, a Prince George’s County Police officer is recovering from injuries he sustained after being struck while inside his patrol car on stationary post. The officer was helping to hold a perimeter on Route 210 which was shut down for the death investigation above.  He was rushed by helicopter to an area hospital where he was listed in serious but stable condition. The driver of the striking vehicle was taken to the hospital.

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating the collision involving our officer. Charges against the striking driver are pending as the investigation continues.

LA PLATA, Md. – Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry is deeply saddened to announce the untimely death of Corporal Patrick “P.J.” Mann, a school resource officer assigned to St. Charles High School in Waldorf. 

Cpl. Mann was found deceased inside his personal vehicle last night after it ran off the roadway in the area of Route 210 in Accokeek in Prince George’s County. His death is being investigated by the PGPD.

Cpl. Mann began his career with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. He worked in patrol and then in 2008 was transferred to the School Resource Unit. He previously worked at Matthew Henson Middle School and J.C. Parks Elementary School before being assigned to St. Charles High School where he has served since it opened in 2014. In addition, he covered Mary B. Neal Elementary School.

“P.J. was a great school resource officer who was dedicated to the safety and well-being of students. He was beloved by everyone who knew him. He was invested in the success of students and was a part of the Distinguished Dozen program in which he dedicated his time to mentoring a select group of students on academics, manners, life-skills and so much more. We are in the process of gathering more details, but for now I simply ask that you keep P.J., his family, his school resource family, students and staff with Charles County Public Schools, and his brothers and sisters at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers,” said Sheriff Berry.

Editor’s note: There are reports that an officer from another department was struck by a vehicle while investigating this incident. The officer was reportedly taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.