40-Year Sentence for Man Who Crushed Cop in Stolen Truck Chase
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for seriously injuring a police officer during a high-speed chase. Juan Yahir Quiroz Manzueta pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges after crashing a stolen box truck into a Harford County Sheriff’s deputy. The sentence includes 20 years without parole, far exceeding standard guidelines.
The incident began when Manzueta drove a rented Penske truck erratically on I-95, hitting multiple cars before heading the wrong way. He eventually crashed into Lt. Robert Burgess, leaving the officer with severe injuries, including a concussion, broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Burgess required nine metal plates in his body and only returned to work in February 2026 after a long recovery.
Manzueta fled on foot after the crash but was later arrested in New York. Authorities tracked him using GPS data from the truck and a smashed cellphone found inside. The vehicle also contained stolen cooking oil linked to an Applebee’s restaurant in Aberdeen. Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey confirmed the 40-year sentence, which is 15 years above the usual sentencing range. Manzueta had previously faced arrests for similar offences, though no prior convictions were recorded. His charges included attempted murder, burglary, evading police, and failing to stop after a crash.
The case has now concluded with a lengthy prison term. Lt. Burgess has since resumed his duties, while Manzueta will serve at least two decades behind bars before parole becomes possible. The sentence reflects the severity of the injuries caused and the danger posed during the chase.
