A Maryland police officer was struck head on by a suspected drunken driver while on duty early Thursday morning.

The Laurel officer’s SUV was struck by a dark-colored Kia about 2:30 a.m. on Van Dusen Road near Laurel Oaks Lane while he was responding to a call, police said. The officer was taken to a hospital and is home recovering.

“As he was traveling towards 95, he saw a vehicle coming towards him,” Deputy Police Chief Mark Plazinski said. “That vehicle crossed the double yellow line. He tried to avoid the vehicle, but it struck him head on.”

Plazinski said it was an incredibly close call and the officer is lucky to be alive.

The suspect was not injured. He was cited for driving under the influence, police said.

“I implore everybody, you know, if you’re gonna be drinking, make sure you have a sober driver,” Plazinski said. “If you’re hosting a party, make sure your guests have a sober ride home. Take a taxi; take a ride share.”

In December 2015, Montgomery County police Officer Noah Leotta was struck and fatally injured by a drunken driver while working on a holiday DUI enforcement task force. His death led to Noah’s Law, passed in 2016, which requires ignition interlock devices to be installed in the cars of those convicted of drunken driving in Maryland. A loophole allowing thousands of drunken drivers to avoid the program every year was closed in the latest Maryland legislative session. 

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Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) vs. Maryland Terrapins (4-6, 1-6 Big Ten) Preview:

The 6-4 Iowa Hawkeyes travel to College Park, Maryland, to take on the 4-6 Terrapins.

Some may think Iowa’s six wins at this point of the season is bad. However, the Hawkeyes should not be discouraged. This was a season in which they had to replace key members on the defense and implement an entirely new offensive system.

They have had some bright moments, including their road win in Minnesota and a thumping of Washington, Wisconsin, and Northwestern.

They will also be looking to bounce back from their road loss to UCLA prior to last week’s bye.

With their success, there must be some discussion about Kaleb Johnson. The junior running back has moved higher on draft boards with great play this season. The Ohio native has rushed for 1,328 yards and 20 touchdowns. His 1,328 yards lead the Big Ten, and the closest player to him is still nearly 300 yards away.

The season for Maryland was always going to be a challenge replacing the production of Taulia Tagovailoa. Billy Edwards Jr has been good in his stead. He’s thrown for 2,855 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The issue for Maryland this season has been on the defensive side of the ball. They will need to sure up their defense if they wish to pick up their second Big Ten win of the season.

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insights weekdays at 6 AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Game Details & How to Watch Iowa vs. Maryland:

• Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
• Time: 12:00 PM EST
• Site: Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium (Byrd Stadium)
• City: College Park, MD
• TV/Streaming: Big Ten Network

Game Odds for Iowa at Maryland via BetMGM:

• Moneyline: Iowa (-230), Maryland (+195)
• Spread: Iowa -6.5
• Total Over/Under: 45.5

BetMGM College Football Insights: Odds to make Playoffs

Line movement (Open to Now)

• Indiana +15000 to -500
• Tennessee +180 to -135
• Colorado +2000 to -120

Betting Insights and Predictions
NBC Sports Bet’s Brad Thomas is leaning towards Over 45.5 points…

Thomas: “Auto betting the under on Iowa is a thing of the past. They are scoring more this season, and their defense is noticeably worse. It’s likely hard to believe, but Iowa is 8-2 to the over this season. Maryland is 7-3. These teams both give up too many points. The over will consistently be in play.

Names to Know for Iowa vs. Maryland:

• Iowa Hawkeyes: RB Kaleb Johnson—Johnson, one of the top running backs in this upcoming NFL Draft, has been the offense for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He has a Big Ten-leading 1,328 yards. Johnson averages 7.1 yards per carry and has found the endzone 21 times.
• Maryland Terrapins: QB Billy Edwards Jr. – Edwards Jr. has thrown for 2,885 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest player news from the NFL and MLB. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Betting Trends & Insights Ahead of Iowa at Maryland:

• Iowa is 8-2 to the OVER this season
• Maryland is 7-3 to the OVER this season
• Maryland has covered in its last 3 games as a home underdog
• Iowa has lost 4 of its last 5 on the road

For more betting analysis and insights, follow our experts on social media:

– Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

– Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

November 21, 2024

Thursday Morning Report

The squall line last night validated and even overachieved expectations. Winds gusted over 50 mph in many areas AND much needed rainfall added up to 0.94” in Baltimore through midnight. More was added afterward.

Colder air and a large upper-level trough will settle in Pennsylvania on Friday. This will bring in a taste of winter. The expectations for snow have now expanded to Central Maryland, and yes, it might be cold enough for some stickage on grassy areas.

A Winter Storm Warning is in place for the high mountains of far Western Maryland and West Virginia. Snow is still expected to reach 1-foot accumulation along with 50 mph winds.

Let’s take a look……

Morning Surface Weather

Storm 1, which brought us rain and wind, is moving away and sending much-needed rain to the drought areas of Metro New York and New England.

Storm 2 is the main event that will pivot from the Great Lakes and nearly stall in Pennsylvania on Friday. This will include a strong upper-level source of cold air and instability. Snow will spread our way and enhance over the Appalachian mountains.

Weather Preview

Storm Animation Today through Saturday Night

Watch the main storm spin in PA and pivot the next wave of energy that will enhance the snow on Friday, then pull away this weekend.

Jet Stream Friday Morning

The core of the cold air will be over our region. There is a trough swinging through the Southeast US with enough enhanced energy to develop snow.

Snow and Rain Mix Friday

Notice the blue shading (snow) into metro Baltimore. A closer look is below.

TODAY

Wind Forecast 7 AM to 7 PM

Wind Gusts at Noon

The stronger winds will be moving east, so it will be less windy this afternoon.

Radar Simulation: Noon to Midnight

There will be some showers with rain and maybe flakes after dark.

Heavy snow will get going in the mountains.

Afternoon Temperatures

Radar Simulation Tonight

7 PM Wed to 7 AM Thu

CLIMATE DATA: Baltimore

TODAY November 21

Sunrise at 6:57 AM

Sunset at 4:48 PM

Normal Low in Baltimore:  35ºF

Record 16ºF in 1951

Normal High in Baltimore: 55ºF

Record 79ºF 1900

Baltimore Drought Update

• 0.94” of rain fell Thursday… The updated deficit:
• 6.66 inches BELOW AVERAGE rainfall since September 1st
• 7.12 inches BELOW AVERAGE rainfall since January 1st
• THE BURN BAN REMAINS IN PLACE

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22

Turning colder with developing snow from the North, and it will reach the northern suburbs during the morning.

Snow will mix with rain near and south of Baltimore.

Heavy snow will be raging in the mountains.

Morning Temperatures

Morning Radar Simulation

Radar Forecast 7 AM to Midnight

Winds At Noon

Afternoon Radar

Afternoon Temperatures

WINTER STORM WARNING

This includes Garrett County, MD, and the high mountains of PA and WV.

Snow 6 to 12+ inches with wind gusts to 50 mph.

Note this is over the extreme drought region and is much needed.

Snow Roads Profile

Snow Forecast Models

There is a lot of agreement between the GFS and ECMWF.

Yes, I see a dusting or more on the grassy areas north of Baltimore.

GFS

ECMWF

NAM 3Km

In Case You Missed It

My Winter Outlook Report

7 Day Forecast

• Colder air will continue to spill in through Saturday.
• Some rain showers later today with a mix of flakes.
• Heavy snow develops in the mountains.
• Snow and mixed showers will expand into Central Maryland on Friday.
• Briefly mild early next week. Then, rain on Wednesday may set up a colder Thanksgiving storm.

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THANK YOU:

Baltimore Magazine Readers Choice Best Of Baltimore

Maryland Trek 11 Day 7 Completed Sat August 10

We raised OVER $104,000 for Just In Power Kids – AND Still Collecting More

The annual event: Hiking and biking 329 miles in 7 days between The Summit of Wisp to Ocean City.

Each day, we honor a kid and their family’s cancer journey.

Fundraising is for Just In Power Kids: Funding Free Holistic Programs. I never have and never will take a penny. It is all for our nonprofit to operate.

Click here or the image to donate:

RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region.

One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky. 

There has been no editor who can check my work while writing and to have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm. #FITF