Former Anne Arundel Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Fatal Crash Case
A former Anne Arundel County police officer pleaded guilty on Thursday to leaving the scene of a deadly accident in August 2024.
Alexander Mason Rodriguez, 29, entered a plea agreement in Howard County Circuit Court, marking the first guilty plea secured by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division. He received a five-year sentence, with all but 120 days suspended, and will undergo supervised probation for two years along with 100 hours of community service.
According to court documents, Rodriguez fled the crash site after a high-speed chase which exceeded 90 mph and led to the death of motorcyclist Joshua VanderZiel. The pursuit began at approximately 4 a.m. when Rodriguez attempted to block VanderZiel’s motorcycle at a gas station without authorization or activating emergency lights.
Authorities reported that after the chase, VanderZiel collided with a flatbed truck, resulting in fatal injuries. Rodriguez did not offer aid or notify emergency services and subsequently left the scene.
Rodriguez, represented by multiple attorneys, did not respond to requests for comment. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown stated that Rodriguez’s plea reflects accountability for actions that jeopardized lives and breached public trust.
VanderZiel, 21, was identified as a U.S. Navy linguist from Wichita, Kansas. No wrongdoing was alleged against him during the incident.
This case represents a significant milestone for the Attorney General’s office in its efforts to investigate police-related fatalities.