ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Lt. Gov. Michael Steele was treated and released at a hospital Tuesday night after the car he was a passenger in collided with another vehicle in Hanover, state police said.
Steele was in a Chevrolet Suburban driven by Trooper First Class Joseph G. Messinese Jr., 32, and accompanied by Trooper First Class Tony C. Gaines, 46. Both troopers were assigned to state police's executive protection section.
According to state police, the SUV was traveling west on Dorsey Road heading toward Ridge Road. A Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Brittany M. LaPorte, 19, of Baltimore, approached Dorsey Road on Ridge Road.
Both vehicles entered the intersection at the same time and the Cavalier struck the Suburban on the passenger said. Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.
Paramedics took Steele, Messinese and Gaines to Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, where all three were treated and released. LaPorte was not injured, troopers said.
A preliminary investigation cites "driver error" by Messinese, but state police said the probe is not complete.
Steele, who is a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, "is resting at home tonight," according to a statement from his office.
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