Maryland State Police say they arrested 39‑year‑old Gasper Botteon on suspicion of driving under the influence and leaving the scene after an early‑morning incident on Interstate 95 that involved a trooper conducting traffic enforcement. Police allege Botteon’s vehicle struck or made contact with the trooper’s patrol vehicle, after which the driver fled the scene; authorities located and detained him shortly afterward, charging him with suspected DUI and hit‑and‑run.

A Maryland State Police statement said investigators are continuing to gather evidence and that the crash remains under review. The trooper involved was evaluated at the scene; officials have not publicly released an update on any injuries or the trooper’s condition. Botteon was transported to a county detention facility where he was processed on the allegations, according to the agency.

The case, which unfolded on one of the region’s busiest corridors, highlights broader public health consequences of impaired driving. Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of traffic fatalities nationwide, contributing to family tragedies, medical burdens and long-term disability among survivors. Beyond the immediate risk to other motorists, incidents that involve law enforcement personnel underscore the occupational hazards troopers and local officers face while performing traffic and crash investigations on congested highways.

“This is a reminder that enforcement and prevention must work in tandem,” said a professor of public health working on traffic safety programs. Policies such as sobriety checkpoints, wider use of ignition interlock devices for convicted offenders, and increased funding for substance use treatment have been shown to reduce repeat offenses and save lives. Yet those measures require sustained political will and resources, advocates say, and are unevenly implemented across jurisdictions.

Community equity is also a concern. Enforcement practices and post‑arrest interventions for substance use often vary by neighborhood and socioeconomic status, creating disparities in who receives treatment versus incarceration. Public health advocates argue that a dual approach—strict enforcement for dangerous driving behavior combined with expanded access to treatment and prevention resources—would address both immediate safety risks and the underlying drivers of repeated impaired driving.

Traffic safety experts also note the downstream strain on emergency departments and trauma systems that follow serious crashes. Hospitals in urban centers already manage high caseloads from motor vehicle trauma, and preventable incidents tied to impairment compound costs for care and rehabilitation.

As investigators piece together the sequence of events on I‑95, local leaders are likely to revisit policy options. Some lawmakers and safety advocates call for bolstering funding for public education campaigns, expanding ride‑share and other safe‑ride alternatives in underserved areas, and ensuring that officers have adequate training and protective procedures when working alongside high‑speed roadways.

For now, Botteon faces criminal charges that could lead to significant penalties if convicted. The case will proceed through the criminal justice system, and authorities say updates will be released as the investigation yields more information. In the meantime, safety advocates urge drivers to remember the human stakes behind traffic statistics: every impaired trip risks lives, livelihoods and long‑term community health.