Police officer acquitted in deadly Beltway accident

LEONARDTOWN, Md. -- A judge has acquitted a local police officer involved in a deadly seven-car crash on the Beltway in May of 2007, NBC4 reports.

Prince George's County Officer Scott Campbell was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter in connection with the crash that killed Kevin McCarter and Sidney Clanton in Forestville.

Fifteen people were also hurt in the crash.

Police say Campbell had positioned himself to stop a speeding motorcycle on the Inner Loop, but the motorcycle rider swerved in front of a another vehicle and sped away. Campbell's car hit the vehicle. That car rolled down an embankment onto the Outer Loop, where five other cars crashed into each other.

"This is a very tragic situation," says Vince Canales, with Prince George's County Fraternal Order of Police. "There were no winners in the tragic situation at all. We feel for the victims of the crash. However, we are happy for Officer Scott Campbell and his family."

Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn Ivey is expected to appeal St. Mary's County Judge Graydon McKee's decision.

The trial was moved to St. Mary's County because of a defense request for a change of venue.

Campbell was facing 20 years in prison if convicted.

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