The Columbia woman accused of fatally striking Cpl. Scott Wheeler during a speed operation this past June paid the two traffic citations stemming from the tragic incident, the Howard State’s Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.

Stephanie Grissom, 25, of High Tor Hill in Columbia, was charged with negligent driving and speeding.

Wheeler, 31, was reportedly struck by her car when he flagged her over for speeding on Route 32 near Route 1 in Howard County.

Grissom was scheduled to appear in Howard District Court today, but the case was canceled after prosecutors learned Grissom paid the citation fines on Friday, according to the Howard State’s Attorney’s Office.

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Grissom paid a $130 fine for exceeding the speed limit and another $280 for negligent driving. She was also assessed three points on her driver’s license, according to prosecutors.

Police issued the citations in March after a Howard grand jury chose not to indict Grissom on a manslaughter charge.

“We knew she would have the option to pay or come to court, and we respect that,” Howard Police Chief William McMahon said Tuesday.

“We were disappointed when the grand jury chose not to indict her on more serious charges, but we knew when we issued the citations that this was a likely outcome.”

McMahon said he spoke with Wheeler’s wife, Tracy Wheeler, who was “working through it.”

“I have mixed emotions, but it brings closure to at least this part of the case,” said Daniel Besseck, who is president of the Howard County Police Officers’ Association.

Grissom was driving about 16 mph over the speed limit when she struck Wheeler, according to police. Other drivers, including those behind Grissom, saw the officers and were able to avoid them, according to police.

Grissom could not be reached for comment.

Following Wheeler’s death, a committee of officers amended the policy for the “step-out” technique. The technique, which involves a team of officers who step into the roadway to flag down speeding drivers, is now prohibited on roadways with a speed limit greater than 35 mph, according to police.

Route 32 has been dedicated to Wheeler with a sign in his memory posted on the roadway.

cpeirce@baltimoreexaminer.com