HARFORD COUNTY MAN COMMITS SUICIDE ON A TRAFFIC STOP

(ESSEX, MD) – State Police are investigating the death of a Harford County man who committed suicide yesterday afternoon while on a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Baltimore County.

The deceased is identified as Scott Kampes, 23, of the 1800 block of Oxford Square in Bel Air, Maryland. He was operating a 1999 Saturn at the time of the incident. Emergency medical personnel from Baltimore County Fire Department transported Kampes to Franklin Square Hospital where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel. An autopsy is being conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore.

Shortly before 2:00 p.m. yesterday, troopers from the JFK Barrack received a call for a stolen vehicle from a relative of Kampes, who had been following him. Information indicated the vehicle was traveling towards Interstate 95.

Troopers located the vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 95 north of White Marsh Boulevard in Baltimore County. A traffic stop was conducted by a trooper from the JFK Barrack who immediately made contact with the driver, Scott Kampes.

After securing the keys from Kampes’ vehicle, the trooper returned to his patrol car to speak with the relative who had been following Kampes. The relative was parked in front of Kampes’ vehicle and the trooper’s marked patrol car. Kampes had remained in the driver’s seat of his vehicle.

Moments later, a back up trooper arrived, and after ensuring the other trooper was okay, approached the Saturn and found Kampes slumped in the driver’s seat with trauma to his head. A Ruger .22 caliber semi-auto handgun was found inside on his lap.

Emergency medical personnel were immediately requested and arrived on scene. Kampes was transported to Franklin Square Hospital where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

Investigators from the JFK Barrack responded and are conducting the investigation. Preliminary investigation indicated the 1999 Saturn belongs to Kampes’ grandparents. He did not have permission to use the car.

Troopers are investigating how Kampes obtained the gun. Investigators have learned Kampes had recently threatened suicide.

The investigation is ongoing.

Submitted: MD State Police