SALISBURY — A Salisbury Police officer was flown to shock trauma with severe injuries this week after his cruiser collided with a suspect driving away from a reported domestic incident.
Just after 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Salisbury Police were dispatched to the area of Camden Ave. for a reported domestic dispute. Shortly thereafter, a suspect identified as Michael Rayne, 27, of Salisbury, fled the scene and collided head on with Salisbury Police Officer Zachary Converse, who was also responding to the domestic incident.
The investigation revealed Rayne was reportedly involved in a verbal argument with his live-in girlfriend. Rayne is also alleged to have broken a window at a neighbor’s residence. As officers arrived on the scene, Rayne entered a vehicle and subsequently fled the area. The responding officers remained on the scene and did not immediately pursue Rayne.
However, Converse was traveling on Camden Ave. to assist with the call for service when his cruiser collided head-on with Rayne’s vehicle in the area of Maryland Ave. Salisbury Emergency Medical Services responded and transported both the officer and Rayne to PRMC where they were evaluated and treated for their injuries. Due to the severity of the injuries, Converse and Rayne were both ultimately transported to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.
Following the collision, Camden Ave. remained closed for several hours due to the investigation and the subsequent repair of a downed utility pole. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team responded to conduct the accident investigation, including a reconstruction and a determination of fault. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending against Rayne.