As mourners prepare for his funeral today, questions remain about the hit-and-run crash that killed Maryland Transportation Authority Police Cpl. Courtney Brooks.
To determine whether the driver of the Ford Explorer that struck Brooks acted with “gross negligence,” MdTA officers plan to reconstruct the southwest Baltimore scene of Intestates 95 and 395, where Brooks, 40, was fatally hit at around 11:20 p.m. New Year?s Eve.
The reconstruction will include computer models, and investigators are using other electronic records, such as E-Z Pass data, to learn more about the Explorer?s path and rate of speed.
“You cannot charge automobile manslaughter unless there?s gross negligence,” said Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for the Baltimore City State?s Attorney?s Office.
The owner of the vehicle, Kerri King, 35, of Elkton, was arrested last week on an open warrant for failing to appear for a drunken driving case.
Authorities are trying to determine whether she was driving the vehicle.
MdTA police spokeswoman Sgt. Pamela Thorne said Sunday that King is the only “person of the interest” in the case.
With the details of his death still unclear, supporters plan to attend Brooks? funeral.
“You will be greatly missed but the memories of you will always be in my heart,” retired MdTA Officer Mittie Edward wrote in an Internet tribute to Brooks.
MdTA Police Cpl. Robert Thibodeau wrote that Brooks? “wit and manners were a delight to all.”
“Although we are left with the pain of what has happened, we have hope that your life is not over ? but your true life has just begun,” he said.
Brooks? funeral is set for 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles St., Baltimore.
Detours for funeral procession
» Beginning at 7 a.m., North Charles Street will be closed from the 4400 through 5400 blocks.
» Southbound Charles Street will be closed at Northern Parkway. Detour right on Northern Parkway to left on Roland Avenue to Cold Spring Lane to left on Cold Spring Lane back to Charles Street.
» Northbound Charles Street will be closed at Cold Spring Lane. Detour right on Cold Spring Lane to left on York Road to left on Belonia to left on Northern Parkway back to Charles Street.
» Parking will be restricted on Charles Street from Cold Spring Lane to Northern Parkway.
» The Northbound Jones Falls Expressway will close for the funeral procession. Motorists should expect delays between noon and 4 p.m.
Source: Baltimore City Department of Transportation
At a glance
» Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers who died after being struck by a vehicle were Cpls. Courtney G. Brooks, Jan. 1, 2008; Robert Thomas Krauss, Sept. 1, 2006; and Officer Duke G. Aaron III, July 20, 2004.
» Maryland Toll Facilities Police Officer Thomas Crouch died Oct. 31, 1991, after being struck by a vehicle.
» Maryland Toll Facilities Police Officer Robert Franklin Pyles Sr. died Sept. 27, 1986, from gunfire, as did Maryland Aviation Administration Police Officer George Neal Ramsburg on Feb. 22, 1974.
Source: The Officer Down Memorial
