Lexington Park Man Charged After Alcohol-Fueled Crash and Assault on Deputy

Keith Albert Kennedy faces multiple charges including DUI and second-degree assault after late-night incident.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A 48-year-old Lexington Park man has been charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree assault and driving under the influence (DUI), after a late-night traffic accident and alleged assault on a sheriff's deputy in St. Mary's County, Maryland.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of drunk driving and alcohol-related crimes in the region, as well as the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement when responding to such situations.

The details

According to police reports, on February 22, 2026, deputies responded to a report of a collision on MD-235 in Lexington Park. They found a Toyota Tacoma in a roadside ditch and two individuals, one of whom was identified as Keith Albert Kennedy, entering a Toyota RAV4. Deputies observed signs of impairment in Kennedy, including glassy eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol. Kennedy allegedly admitted to consuming several beers and multiple shots of liquor prior to the incident. He was unable to successfully complete field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest. During a search incident to the arrest, Kennedy is accused of head-butting a deputy.

  • On February 22, 2026, deputies responded to the collision on MD-235 in Lexington Park.
  • On February 23, 2026, Kennedy was released on recognizance.
  • A trial date has been scheduled for April 9, 2026, in the District Court of Maryland for St. Mary's County.

The players

Keith Albert Kennedy

A 48-year-old Lexington Park resident who has been charged with second-degree assault, negligent driving, DUI, and DWI in relation to the incident.

St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and made the arrests.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage property and assault officers in our community.”

— Robert Jenkins, St. Mary's County Resident (The Bay Net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on April 9, 2026, whether to allow Kennedy to remain free on recognizance or to revoke his release pending trial.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of addressing drunk driving and alcohol-related crimes in the region, and the importance of effective law enforcement response and judicial oversight to protect public safety.