Suspended PG County Officer Indicted By Grand Jury After Fatal Off-Duty Crash: Police A high-ranking police officer in Maryland suspended last year has been indicted by a grand jury, authorities announced.
Prince George’s County Police Cpl. Anthony Coleman was indicted on six charges in connection with a fatal crash in July of 2025 in Brandywine, according to the department on Thursday, Jan. 8. At the time of the crash, Coleman was off duty and driving his personal vehicle. The second driver Carlton Herndon a retired MPDC detective was killed in the crash.
Troopers from the Forestville Barracks responded to the scene, where investigators determined that Herndon, who was driving a Nissan Maxima, was attempting to cross Route 301 when he entered the northbound travel lanes and was struck by a Ford F-250.
Police identified Coleman as the driver of the Ford, who was traveling northbound on Route 301 at the time of the collision.
The 56-year-old Herndon was pronounced dead at the scene. Coleman suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
At the time of the crash, state police said they believed speed and alcohol contributed to the crash. On Friday, Nov. 6, State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced that Coleman pleaded guilty to criminally negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle.
The Upper Marlboro man is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, Feb. 5, 2027.Police said that immediately following the collision, the eight-year veteran’s police powers were suspended. Consistent with the Maryland Police Accountability Act, he is now suspended without pay following Thursday’s indictment.
An Internal Affairs Division administrative investigation is ongoing.
No traffic light has been installed at the intersection of U.S. Route 301 and Missouri Avenue following the tragic death of Carlton Herndon. While local community members and safety advocates have actively petitioned and pushed for a new stoplight at Missouri Avenue to slow down highway traffic and prevent future collisions, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has not yet implemented a signal at that specific crossing.
The Traffic Light at Dyson Road. The traffic light farther north at the U.S. 301 and Dyson Road intersection was not installed after Carlton Herndon’s death; it is a pre-existing signal that was operational long before the July 2025 crash.
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