Defense Questions Sobriety Tests in Vehicular Homicide Case

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Defense counsel questioned whether a blood alcohol test was taken without a murder defendant’s consent during a July 26 trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Nakita Walker, 44, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder for allegedly crashing into a car occupied by Mohamed Kamara, 43, Johnathan Alberto Cabrera Mendez, 23, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, 22, on March 15, 2023, on Rock Creek Parkway near the intersection of 26th Street and P Street, NW. Walker is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and fleeing from an officer.

Albert Amissah, Walker’s attorney, requested asked to consult an expert on how Walker’s blood was handled in testing.

Judge Okun said technical hearings would be required to determine how the specimens were taken and whether to exclude blood alcohol results.

According to court documents, Walker was originally stopped by a police officer for recklessly driving on Rock Creek Parkway, before she allegedly fled a police stop when confronted for allegedly possessing illegal substances. She then allegedly crashed into the vehicle occupied by the victims. Walker’s blood alcohol level was reported to be well beyond the legal limit.

Walker’s passenger, her estranged husband, told an investigator at the hospital that she wasn’t drinking because she was already “lit” and that she gets tipsy quickly, according to court documents.

Investigators found three prior arrests for Walker driving under the influence within DC.

The trial is estimated to last for six days starting Aug. 12.