A murder defendant was clearly impaired after striking a woman in the U Street Corridor, a Metropolitan Police Department officer told a jury Oct. 17.
David Jones is charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence, and leaving after colliding for killing 65-year-old Carolyn Ellis on the corner of 10th and U Streets, NW on Feb. 6, 2017.
The officer, who administered a field sobriety test on Jones on the night of the crash, said that he was unable to focus during the test. “The odor of alcohol, inability to stand up and the fact he could not complete the test was, in my opinion, enough to determine he was intoxicated,” the officer said.
According to court documents, Ellis and another pedestrian were crossing the street when a black car sped around the corner and struck her. A witness said Ellis’ body was thrown 8-to-10 feet in the air before hitting a parked car and landing on the street. Officers later located Jones, 38, intoxicated and walking away from the car, which was parked on 14th Street, NW.
During Jones’ trial, the prosecution also called a crash reconstruction expert who inspected the car that struck Ellis. He explained that data showed that Jones’ car had no damage to the tires before impact and no brake deficiency during the incident.
The automotive expert also noted that, prior to the accident, the car was traveling at 57 miles per hour despite the 25 miles per hour speed limit.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Oct. 18.
Maggi Chambers contributed to this article.
