Pedal To Panic: Driver Charged After 100 MPH Chase With Child In Car

WALDORF, Md. — A White Plains man is facing charges after deputies say he fled from a traffic stop at high speed before crashing his vehicle with his young daughter inside.

Lawrence Hayes Wade, 41, of White Plains, was charged with reckless endangerment following the March 7 incident in Waldorf. Court records show Wade was initially held without bond following his arrest before later being released on his own recognizance after multiple bond review hearings.

According to charging documents, a deputy with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office was conducting stationary speed enforcement around 9:44 p.m. near the intersection of Middletown Road and Sedgewick Drive. While monitoring traffic, the deputy observed a vehicle traveling southbound at approximately 66 mph in a posted 40 mph zone.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop on a white Mercedes. However, after emergency lights and sirens were activated, the vehicle accelerated instead of stopping and continued southbound on Middletown Road at a high rate of speed.

Authorities say the driver reached speeds approaching 100 mph during the pursuit. After traveling about 1.8 miles, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wooded area near the intersection of Middletown Road and Billingsley Road.

Deputies approached the crashed vehicle and gave commands for the driver to show his hands. After several commands, the driver complied. When the passenger door was opened, deputies discovered a juvenile girl seated in the front passenger seat.

Investigators later learned the child was Wade’s 9-year-old daughter. Another officer on scene removed the girl from the vehicle and escorted her to safety.

Wade told deputies he did not stop for the traffic stop because his daughter was not feeling well and he was trying to get her home. He also stated he was concerned his vehicle might be towed because its registration had expired.

Authorities determined the white 2017 Mercedes Wade was driving had expired registration and was currently suspended.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies located a Glock handgun magazine loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition inside a bag Wade said contained his wallet and driver’s license. Wade told deputies there was no firearm in the vehicle and claimed he had left the magazine in his backpack.

During the encounter, Wade also told deputies he worked as a federal agent with the Department of Homeland Security and asked if officers could help him out because of that.

Emergency personnel transported Wade’s daughter to Charles Regional Medical Center for evaluation following the crash. She was later released to her mother.

Wade was taken to the same hospital for evaluation but declined medical treatment. After being cleared, he was transported to the Charles County Detention Center where he was charged.

A hearing in the case is scheduled for April 24, 2026, in Charles County District Court.

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