Eyewitness to Car Crash Testifies About Fleeing Murder Suspects

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On Jan. 17, a witness testified in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo that she personally witnessed two men swerve their car into another before fleeing the scene with a rifle.

Vorreze Thomas, 25, and his uncle Delonta Stevenson, 28, are charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, and two counts of assault with intent to kill, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Terrance Allen. The incident occurred on Jan. 18, 2021, on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE, and left two other individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. All three victims were found inside a vehicle at the scene.

The prosecution called an eyewitness to the car crash prosecutors claim was caused by Thomas and Stevenson fleeing the shooting scene. The witness explained that the crash occurred outside of the apartment complex where she lived, and she was able to see it from her second story window.

She further explained that she heard a screeching sound, which prompted her to go to her window, where she saw a black car swerve into another car, impacting both cars and pushing them into the middle of the street.

Then, she saw two men exit the vehicle from the driver and passenger side. Although their backs were turned to her, she claimed that she could see that the passenger appeared to be holding a long rifle. She claimed the passenger was a black male that had long blond dreadlocks with black roots, and that both the passenger and the driver were wearing all black clothing.

According to the witness, the pair ran into a wooded area behind an apartment complex after leaving the vehicle where the witness lost sight of them.

During cross-examination, Stevenson’s attorney, Stephen LoGerfo, asked the witness whether her apartment had an outdoor camera and if it captured the accident. She responded that she did possess a camera, but that it had a limited view and was only focused on her car.

During their redirect, the prosecution questioned the witness about her description of the passenger, claiming that she had never mentioned that he had blond hair during her grand jury testimony. The witness did not elaborate about the discrepancy.

The prosecution then called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sergeant who had been in the area in an unmarked car when he heard several gunshots nearby, and viewed a “getaway car” leaving an apartment complex. He pursued the car until it eventually came to a halt, leading the officer to approach the vehicle with his gun drawn. The officer explained that the vehicle then took off again, and he lost sight of it.

Parties are expected to reconvene Jan. 18.

Follow this case