Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested in Ocean City
OCEAN CITY, MD – (September 14, 2024): The Ocean City Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian and motorcycle. The collision occurred at 12th Street and Philadelphia Ave on September 13, 2024, around 9:34 p.m. Michael Scot Schneider, 51, of Ballston Spa, New York, has been arrested related to this collision.
After arriving on the scene, officers located a juvenile male (16 years old) suffering from life-threatening injuries. The juvenile was treated by Ocean City Emergency Services personnel on the scene before being flown to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland, by Maryland State Police Aviation. The juvenile is currently in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
The investigation revealed that the juvenile was walking in a marked crosswalk at 12th Street and Philadelphia Ave. A motorcyclist was traveling southbound on Philadelphia Ave towards 12th Street at a high rate of speed, according to witnesses and video footage, before striking the juvenile pedestrian. The motorcyclist was later identified as Michael Scot Schneider.
Schneider then lost control of his motorcycle, which struck and severely damaged a parked motorcycle and a second parked motor vehicle. Schneider left the scene immediately after the collision. Officers broadcasted a description of Schneider and conducted an extensive search of the downtown area.
With the assistance of the Maryland State Police, Schneider was located several hours later at the Park and Ride in West Ocean City. Officers observed signs of impairment, along with several injuries consistent with being involved in a motorcycle collision, when speaking to Schneider. Ocean City EMS personnel transported Schneider to Tidal Health Peninsula Regional for treatment for his injuries. Due to the injuries to the victim being life-threatening, a search warrant was obtained to collect a blood sample to determine Schneider’s alcohol concentration.
Upon his release from Tidal Health, Schneider was transported to the Ocean City Police Department. Schneider has been charged with twelve traffic offenses, such as driving under the influence and failing to remain on the scene of an accident resulting in bodily injury or death. A Maryland District Court Commissioner saw Schneider and held him without bond. Schneider has been transferred to the Worcester County Jail.
The Ocean City Traffic Safety Unit is currently investigating the collision. Southbound Philadelphia Avenue at 12th Street was closed for approximately eight hours, allowing officers to conduct a reconstruction investigation. The Traffic Safety Unit is asking any individuals with information regarding this incident to please contact PFC Panitch at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be left on our Tip Line at 410-520-5136, email us at [email protected], or contact the Police Department directly at 410-723-6610. Please reference case number 2024-00-4324.
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