ANNAPOLIS, MD – An Annapolis man has been found guilty on all charges after he fled the scene of a traffic crash last year.
The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess announced today that a jury found Brandon Hardy, 26, of Annapolis guilty of 13 charges including two counts of second-degree assault against Anne Arundel County Police Officers Saifedlin Hussain and James Yee, as well as a litany of felony drug charges for possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances.
According to police, “On September 3, 2021, Anne Arundel County police officers responded to the area of Mountain Road and Route 10 for a report of a car accident in which the driver of a silver Honda Civic, later identified as the defendant, Brandon Hardy, fled the scene. Witnesses stated Hardy briefly returned to the vehicle to retrieve some objects before running away. On the scene, police learned that two vehicles, a grey Ford Mustang and a black Kia sport utility vehicle, were attempting to turn left from the Route 10 off-ramp onto Mountain Road when the defendant’s Civic ran a red light and struck both the Mustang and the Kia. The occupants of the Mustang and the Kia, which included young children, were not injured.”
“Every day, members of law enforcement put their lives on the line to protect and serve the citizens in our communities. Officers Hussain and Yee were assaulted by the defendant after they took him into custody for leaving the scene of a car accident,” said State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess. “I appreciate the service these officers bring to our county and thank them for their continued commitment to safeguarding our streets.”
An accident report detailed that the passenger of the defendant’s vehicle remained on the scene and advised officers of the name of the defendant and that he had taken her cell phone before running away.
“The passenger’s family member arrived on scene and used an app to locate the passenger’s phone which pinged to a local fast food restaurant,” police said. “Officers then responded there and located the defendant but he refused to identify himself. A witness from the accident was brought to the location and positively identified the defendant. After the defendant was arrested and handcuffed, he attempted to run away. He was quickly apprehended and became extremely uncooperative.”
A large number of officers were required to place the defendant in the police vehicle to be transported for booking.
“During the struggle, the defendant bit Officer Yee on the leg and attempted to bite Officer Hussain’s arm. Neither officer sustained serious injuries and did not require medical treatment. Officers observed the defendant clutching a large amount of drugs, which the police had to pry out of his hands,” according to the police report.
These substances were later tested and found to be about 29 grams of Fentanyl and over 40 grams of cocaine. The defendant was also in possession of a digital scale and over $400 in cash.
A search of the defendant’s vehicle revealed about 15 grams of marijuana and 30 Suboxone strips.