ROCKVILLE, Maryland -- The chief of the Montgomery County Police Department was visibly angered over the death of an officer who was struck by a suspected drunken driver last week.

Police Chief Thomas Manger said that there is little chance justice will be served in the killing of Officer Noah Leotta -- who succumbed to his injures Thursday morning -- because Maryland's drunken driving laws aren't tough enough, according to Bethesda Magazine.

Police are awaiting the results of a blood test administered to 47-year-old Luis Gustavo Reluzco, was identified as the driver of the vehicle that struck the 24-year-old officer on Dec. 3. Manger said Reluzco had been arrested twice in the past for driving under the influence.

Leotta was working as part of the county's Holiday Alcohol Task Force at the time he was struck.

"I can tell you that the fact that Noah was trying to prevent that crime -- that ended up killing him -- I hope that shines a light on this case and shines a light on the fact that the state of Maryland has some of the weakest penalties for drunk drivers," Manger said.

"In fact, as we look ahead to the prosecution of this case, I can tell you, that whenever it's done, there’s little chance of real justice being done. Because until the state of Maryland starts taking these crimes, and I'm talking about the crime of a drunk driver behind the wheel of a car who's killing someone, until they take this crime seriously there is no justice for families, there is no justice for victims."

John McCarthy, state's attorney for Montgomery County, issued a statement Thursday afternoon offering condolences to Leotta’s family and addressing the police chief's statements.

"I understand Chief Manger's frustration with repeat drunk driving offenders who are not adequately punished under Maryland law," McCarthy said. "Let us take note of other states whose laws are much stricter on repeat drunk drivers than ours to prevent future tragedies such as this one."

McCarthy added two of the county's most senior prosecutors have been assigned to the case.

The state's law enables prosecutors to pursue various penalties in drunken driving cases when a death results, including vehicular manslaughter -- which includes a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.