Hollywood Woman Charged After Trooper Kicked During Traffic Stop

HOLLYWOOD, Md. — A Hollywood woman pulled over for speeding is accused of refusing to stay inside her vehicle, resisting arrest and kicking a Maryland State Police trooper in the leg during a traffic stop, according to charging documents.

Dana Elizabeth Briscoe, 63, of Hollywood, was charged with second-degree assault, obstructing and hindering, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, and resisting or interfering with arrest. Briscoe also was cited for driving at a speed exceeding the posted limit.

A trooper stopped a black Toyota sedan on May 7, 2026, after seeing it traveling north on Mervell Dean Road at what appeared to be above the posted speed limit. Police said radar showed the vehicle was going 57 mph in a posted 40 mph zone.

The vehicle came to a stop on Three Notch Road at Mervell Dean Road in Hollywood. When the trooper approached the driver’s side window, the driver signaled for him to wait while she grabbed a face mask, then opened the door and said she needed to get out of the vehicle, according to the report.

The trooper ordered the driver, later identified as Briscoe, to stay in the vehicle. Police said Briscoe began arguing with the trooper, stating that he was getting “spittle” in her vehicle and spreading germs.

Briscoe continued arguing to get out of the vehicle and eventually did so without being asked, according to charging documents. The trooper ordered her back into the vehicle, and police said she complied.

When the trooper asked for Briscoe’s driver’s license, she moved across the inside of the vehicle, climbed to the passenger side and exited again without being asked, according to the report.

The trooper then made contact with Briscoe on the passenger side of the vehicle and told her to put her hands behind her back because she was being detained, police said. Charging documents state Briscoe began resisting commands and pulling her arms away.

Police said the trooper was able to secure one handcuff on Briscoe’s left wrist while continuing to order her to put her arms behind her back. Briscoe allegedly kept her arms close to her body to prevent being handcuffed.

Briscoe then kicked backward and struck the trooper in the lower leg, according to charging documents. She was taken to the ground and placed into custody without further incident.

Briscoe was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and later released on her own recognizance.

A hearing is set for June 9, 2026, at St. Mary’s District Court.

Under Maryland law, the listed charges carry up to 13 years and 60 days of incarceration and up to $8,000 in fines if Briscoe is convicted and sentenced to the maximum consecutive terms.

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