Police responded to a hit and run accident at approximately 3:17 am on Sunday in the area of East Fort Street and Shumar Avenue. The driver of vehicle, later identified as Joseph Ahmed, 26, of Sykesville, Maryland, ran away when police arrived on the scene.
Witnesses who had come to his aide told officers that when Ahmed got out his vehicle he pleaded with them not to call the police, stating that he “isn’t drunk” and “would give them money”. Witnesses also said that they could smell alcohol coming from Ahmed’s person and believed that he was intoxicated.
Ahmed allegedly struck multiple vehicles on the 300 block of East Fort Street, disabling his own vehicle, from Fort Ahmed turned onto Shumar Avenue. Witnesses said that he appeared to be driving at a high rate of speed coming up the road, one witness said that “it sounded like he bounced off the cars like a ping pong ball”. The witness also said he had to push his girlfriend out of the way at the corner of Shumar and Fort streets out of fear that they were going to be struck by the Ahmed’s vehicle.
Police were unable to apprehend Ahmed, it is believed that he went back to his friends house on Washington Street where he was last known to be staying for the weekend.
When officers arrived at that location to check for Ahmed, residents refused to answer the door. It is believed that Ahmed has since returned home to Maryland.
Other charges against Ahmed include reckless endangerment, accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle, leaving the scene of the accident, possession of paraphernalia, and reckless driving, among other charges.
The investigation is still ongoing.
