Defendant Pleads Guilty in Deadly Traffic Accident  

By Adriana Marroquin - June 30, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Suspects | Victims |

On June 30, a Pennsylvania man accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors for his involvement in a fatal traffic accident.

Reginald Johnson, 31, was originally charged with second-degree murder in an incident that killed 24-year-old Carlos Christian and severely injured Christian’s fiance on January 15, at the intersection of 15th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW. 

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, Johnson was traveling about 60-miles-per-hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone when Christian’s Uber driver was trying to turn left.  Johnson crashed into the rear side of the Uber, causing the vehicle to spin and rollover, before coming to a stop on a sidewalk. The force of the impact was ruled the cause of Christian’s death. 

Christian’s fiance experienced severe injuries to her back as well as fractures to her pelvis. Both victims were international graduate students from the Dominican Republic at Georgetown University and George Washington University. 

According to court documents, at the time of the incident, Johnson had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .109; above the legal limit of .08. 

Johnson pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, criminal negligence and assault with a dangerous weapon–a vehicle.  He faces between 36 and 144 months in jail. 

Christian’s family, that flew in from Dominican Republic and Colorado, pleaded with DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun to arrest Johnson, claiming he is a danger to the community. 

“I’m standing here, on behalf of my parents and [other family members] looking for justice,” said Christian’s brother. 

“I do not believe a community can reasonably expect to remain safe when wrong-doers like this man are on release,” he insisted. 

According to the victims’ lawyer, the plea agreement is not adequate given the severity of the crime. They argued that it won’t bring justice to the families. 

“This is tragic, all the way around,” stated Judge Okun. 

“I don’t know what sentence I’m going to impose,” he said in response to the parents.

Meanwhile, Judge Okun stated he would not arrest Johnson but would implement further conditions to ensure the safety of the community. 

Johnson’s release prohibits him from driving in the District and under the influence of any substance. 

Parties are expected back for sentencing on Oct. 13.