HYATTSVILLE – A Prince George’s County councilwoman apologized Wednesday after police caught her driving her county-owned vehicle 105 miles per hour on the Beltway.
“I believe moving violations are serious matters. I take full responsibility for my actions and I apologize to my constituents, my County Council colleagues, and Prince George’s County,” Councilwoman Karen Toles said in a statement.
Toles said she would stop driving her county-owned car until she completes a voluntary driver improvement course, “to ensure my safety and the safety of others.”
Video by Jamie Forzato/CNS-TV
Last week, a Prince George’s County police officer saw a driver making unsafe lane changes on the inner loop of the Beltway. He sped up to 105 miles per hour to catch up to Toles’ car – a speed that was recorded on the cruiser’s camera, according to Prince George’s Assistant Police Chief Kevin Davis.
Toles exited the Beltway onto Branch Avenue before pulling over to the side of the road. Toles said she was speeding because she was late for an appointment but she was not issued a ticket.
Police say the officer did not have working radar equipment in his car and though he followed her speeding car, he was unable to precisely establish the car’s pace before pulling it over. She was issued a $90 citation for changing lanes unsafely but only received a warning for speeding.
Prince George’s County police said a panel made up of senior officers and Prince George’s County Police Department Inspector General Carlos Acosta would investigate the incident and issue a report to Police Chief Mark Magaw.
According to court records, in 2010 Toles received a $110 fine for driving off the roadway to pass a vehicle, a $90 fine for an changing lanes unsafely, and a $40 fine for failure to display registration.