A man riding a moped was killed after police say a stolen car crossed into oncoming traffic on the William Howard Taft Bridge before the suspects tried to run away.
Washington, D.C. — A Maryland man was killed Saturday when a stolen car fleeing police crossed into oncoming traffic on the William Howard Taft Bridge and slammed into his moped, according to authorities.
The victim was identified as 46-year-old Nolberto Meza of Hyattsville, Maryland.
The crash began at approximately 5:35 p.m. when United States Park Police detected a stolen silver 2014 Honda Accord near Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Avenue, Northwest, police said.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled, traveling north on Rock Creek Parkway onto Shoreham Drive, then north on 24th Street before heading south on Connecticut Avenue.
As the Honda sped south across the William Howard Taft Bridge, investigators said it crossed into the opposite lanes of traffic and struck Meza’s moped.
The impact ejected Meza from the moped and into the roadway. DC Fire and EMS personnel responded, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the Honda continued off the bridge and onto Connecticut Avenue before turning onto Kalorama Road, where it struck an occupied Toyota RAV4 carrying two adult men.
The occupants of the Toyota suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital.
Authorities said all of the occupants of the stolen Honda attempted to flee after the crash but were quickly apprehended by members of the United States Park Police and the United States Marshals Service.
Following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit, three people were arrested.
The driver of the Honda, 24-year-old Tomas Anderson of Northeast DC, was charged with second-degree murder.
The two passengers, identified as 19-year-old Donnie Palacios of Southeast DC and a 16-year-old boy from Fort Washington, Maryland, were charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle – crime of violence.
Key Points
- A stolen car fleeing police struck and killed 46-year-old moped rider Nolberto Meza of Hyattsville on the William Howard Taft Bridge.
- The suspect vehicle later crashed into a Toyota RAV4, injuring two people.
- Three suspects were arrested, including the driver, who faces a second-degree murder charge.