Officer Hakim Azim Farthing

Hakim Azim Farthing

Officer Hakim Farthing was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting at the scene of another accident on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway at 0330 hours.

Officers were investigating an earlier fatal accident and Officer Farthing had closed the New York Avenue exit ramp from the Parkway in Hyattsville, Maryland just north of the Washington, DC border. The drunk driver drove through cones and flares, struck Officer Farthing, killing him instantly, and then continued 2000 feet before being stopped by other officers who witnessed the incident. A Maryland State Police helicopter that was already overhead landed and a paramedic immediately attended to Officer Farthing.

The drunk driver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, and reckless driving. She was sentenced to five years in prison.

Officer Farthing was a U.S. Army veteran and had been employed with the United States Park Police for two years. He is survived by his young son and parents.