Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck on Route 301 in Waldorf by Maryland State Police Trooper

Crash occurred near midnight on a four-lane highway segment with no nearby crosswalk

A pedestrian was killed late Thursday night after being struck on U.S. Route 301 in the Waldorf area of Charles County in a collision involving an on-duty Maryland State Police trooper. The incident occurred shortly before midnight on Route 301 between Plaza Drive and St. Patrick’s Drive, an area described by investigators as lacking a crosswalk.

Investigators said the trooper was driving northbound when the patrol vehicle struck a pedestrian who was walking in a travel lane on the four-lane roadway. After the initial impact, additional vehicles also struck the pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities reported no other injuries.

Calls reported a person in the roadway shortly before the collision

Before the crash, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls reporting a pedestrian walking in the lanes of Route 301. Investigators have not released the pedestrian’s identity or additional details about the person’s movements immediately before the impact.

The trooper involved was placed on administrative leave while the case undergoes review, a standard step in many trooper-involved crash investigations. Once the investigation is completed, the findings are expected to be provided to the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office for further consideration.

• Location: Route 301 between Plaza Drive and St. Patrick’s Drive (Waldorf area, Charles County)
• Time: shortly before midnight Thursday
• Outcome: one pedestrian fatality; no other injuries reported
• Status: active investigation; trooper on administrative leave pending review

Road closure and request for witnesses

The roadway was closed for about two hours as investigators processed the scene and gathered evidence. Authorities have asked anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Maryland State Police investigators at 301-392-1231.

Investigators are examining the sequence of impacts and the circumstances that placed the pedestrian in an active travel lane shortly before the collision.

Traffic-safety context across Maryland

The fatal crash comes as Maryland reports a significant recent decline in statewide traffic deaths. Preliminary statewide figures show traffic fatalities fell from 582 in 2024 to 480 in 2025, with pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities dropping from 173 in 2024 to 116 in 2025. Even with those reductions, state and regional safety plans continue to emphasize enforcement, roadway engineering, and education aimed at reducing severe crashes involving vulnerable road users.

In this case, investigators have not announced whether factors such as speed, lighting, impairment, or roadway design contributed to the collision. The findings of the investigation are expected to determine what enforcement or administrative steps, if any, follow.