Baltimore traffic officer struck by angry downtown motorist

Stunned pedestrians sprang to the defense of a Baltimore City traffic enforcement agent Thursday, after she was struck and injured by an angry downtown motorist determined not to turn, transportation officials said.

As the traffic officer was directing heavy afternoon traffic prior to a performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus at the 1st Mariner Arena, a driver allegedly refused the officer?s order at Baltimore and Charles streets to turn into an open lane, city Department of Transportation officials said.