BALTIMORE, MD (February 10, 2023) – The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on Wednesday following an attempted traffic stop by Baltimore Police in East Baltimore.
On February 8, at approximately 8:55 p.m., a Baltimore Police Eastern District officer in an unmarked vehicle was in the 1800 block of East North Avenue when they observed a black Hyundai Sonata that was reported stolen driving in the area. Officer Devin Yancy responded to the area in a marked police car and attempted a traffic stop around North Patterson Park Avenue and East North Avenue, but the Hyundai failed to stop. Officers followed the Hyundai to the area of Sinclair Lane and North Wolfe Street, where it continued to flee. The Hyundai entered the intersection of North Wolfe Street and East North Avenue, where it collided with a sedan. Both the Hyundai and the sedan struck a pedestrian who was standing on the sidewalk before crashing into a vacant row home. The occupants of both cars were taken to an area hospital to be treated for their injuries. The pedestrian, 54-year-old Alfred Fincher of Baltimore, was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the Hyundai was taken into custody by Baltimore Police.
Officer Yancy is a 4.5-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department.
Baltimore Police cruisers are not equipped with dashboard cameras. The involved officers were wearing body-worn cameras. The Independent Investigations Division will generally release body camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.
The Maryland General Assembly, in Senate Bill 600, passed a law mandating that the Office of Attorney General investigate all police-involved fatalities in the State of Maryland beginning October 1, 2021. These investigations are conducted by the office’s Independent Investigations Division, in conjunction with the Maryland State Police. The OAG and BPD have reached an agreement to allow for the Attorney General’s investigation while still allowing BPD to meet the investigatory obligations of its federal consent decree.
On February 8, at approximately 8:55 p.m., a Baltimore Police Eastern District officer in an unmarked vehicle was in the 1800 block of East North Avenue when they observed a black Hyundai Sonata that was reported stolen driving in the area. Officer Devin Yancy responded to the area in a marked police car and attempted a traffic stop around North Patterson Park Avenue and East North Avenue, but the Hyundai failed to stop. Officers followed the Hyundai to the area of Sinclair Lane and North Wolfe Street, where it continued to flee. The Hyundai entered the intersection of North Wolfe Street and East North Avenue, where it collided with a sedan. Both the Hyundai and the sedan struck a pedestrian who was standing on the sidewalk before crashing into a vacant row home. The occupants of both cars were taken to an area hospital to be treated for their injuries. The pedestrian, 54-year-old Alfred Fincher of Baltimore, was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the Hyundai was taken into custody by Baltimore Police.
Officer Yancy is a 4.5-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department.
Baltimore Police cruisers are not equipped with dashboard cameras. The involved officers were wearing body-worn cameras. The Independent Investigations Division will generally release body camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.
The Maryland General Assembly, in Senate Bill 600, passed a law mandating that the Office of Attorney General investigate all police-involved fatalities in the State of Maryland beginning October 1, 2021. These investigations are conducted by the office’s Independent Investigations Division, in conjunction with the Maryland State Police. The OAG and BPD have reached an agreement to allow for the Attorney General’s investigation while still allowing BPD to meet the investigatory obligations of its federal consent decree.
