WEST OCEAN CITY — A high-ranking Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) officer and Ocean City resident resigned this week after an alleged drunk-driving and hit-and-run incident in West Ocean City last weekend.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m. last Saturday, the Maryland State Police (MSP) Berlin barrack received a call reporting a hit-and-run crash that had just occurred on eastbound Route 50 at Route 707, or Old Bridge Road. According to a statement from the MSP, the caller reported a Chevrolet Tahoe was stopped at a red light when it reversed and backed into his vehicle.
According to police reports, the Chevrolet Tahoe then left the scene, with the caller following behind while on the phone with the MSP barrack. MSP troopers responded and located the Tahoe in a parking lot near Route 113 in Berlin. The driver was identified as Earnest Leatherbury, Jr., 55, of Ocean City, who is the deputy superintendent of the NRP, essentially the agency’s second in command.
MSP troopers detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Leatherbury and an impaired driving investigation was initiated, according to police reports. After failing to complete field sobriety tests to the troopers’ satisfaction, Leatherbury was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, failure to remain at the scene of a property damage accident, negligent driving and unsafe backing.
Affirmative action…… skate through two agency’s with rank.
That’s a shame.
Was Ernie a former state trooper and bus driver in Wicomico county for the school system?
Most news stories are one-sided. This one is no exception. Because he’s black, no one bothered to mention the fact he was driving a police vehicle duly equipped to stop civilians on the highway. This could have evolved into a lawsuit the taxpayers would have had to make good on.
He should have been charged with DUI and processed just like ANY civilian. What’dya want to bet he gets PBJ?Where’s BLM now?