T
he driver struck by an unlicensed suspect fleeing troopers in a stolen truck has died and the suspect has been charged with more than two dozen criminal and traffic offenses in Baltimore County.
The victim has been identified as Leon M. Jones, 58, of Hunt Valley. He died late Tuesday afternoon despite efforts to save his life.
The suspect has been identified as Zackery M. Haeger, 26, of Parkville.
At just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, police began searching for a stolen Ford F550 dump truck that was spotted heading north on I-83.
State troopers found the unoccupied stolen truck in the parking lot of the WalMart located at York Road and Frankel Way in Cockeysville. Police saw a male subject leave the store and get into the truck. Troopers attempted to stop the driver, but he refused to stop and accelerated toward two troopers who were on foot. The troopers jumped out of the way to avoid being struck.
The suspect drove south on York Road as troopers followed. The suspect, later identified as Haeger, allegedly drove down the center median lane on York Road, exceeding the speed limit and failing to stop at a red light. Haeger hit a vehicle at Padonia Road and York Road.
Haeger turned left onto Padonia Road then left onto Cranbrook Road, where he allegedly crossed the double yellow center line into the southbound lanes of Cranbrook Road in the area of Rossbrooke Road. A Nissan Versa, driven by Jones, was traveling in the southbound lanes of Cranbrook Road. Jones swerved into the northbound lanes to avoid being struck, but Haeger re-entered the northbound lanes and struck the Nissan head-on.
Haeger then fled on foot and police arrested him after a brief foot pursuit.
Police say Haeger did not have a driver’s license. He is facing numerous charges, including manslaughter, homicide, assault, numerous traffic violations, DUI, and DWI.
He was taken for an initial appearance before a court commissioner and is being held without bond in the Baltimore County Detention Center.
