Several witnesses testified about the level of intoxication of a defendant accused of killing three people in a fatal car crash before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 30.
Nakita Walker, 46, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, fleeing a law enforcement officer, and assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a fatal car crash. The incident occurred on March 15, 2023 on Rock Creek Parkway and killed Mohamed Kamara, 43, Jonathan Cabrera Mendez, 23, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, 22.
A detective with the US Park Police testified that according to medical records, Walker was “currently intoxicated” while hospitalized immediately after the incident based on her “ethanol level and clinical appearance.” Her ethanol levels were determined by blood and urine tests. Ethanol is the variant of alcohol for human consumption.
Defense attorney Albert Amissah countered that the detective had little involvement in the case as he was not present on the scene at the time of the incident and had nothing to do with the collection of the samples of blood and urine.
The next witness was a firefighter and paramedic from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DC FEMS) that responded to the scene. She testified that she did a quick examination of Walker and claimed she was “acting abnormally” and her behavior was “consistent with intoxication.”
She also admitted in cross-examination that she was unaware Walker had a concussion and people with concussions can exhibit odd behaviors as well.
The prosecution then called a medical doctor from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) who testified that the blood and urine tests ran for Walker “detected ethanol.” Additionally, the doctor said when individuals show “signs and symptoms of impairments” they should not be driving.
During cross-examination, Amissah confirmed with the doctor that the alcohol level in a blood sample can change depending on if it is stored properly. Alcohol levels can increase due to fermentation taking place, but they can also decrease when the sample is repeatedly opened, letting alcohol escape. The doctor said she did not know whether the tests were stored correctly.
The prosecution also called the medical examiner that performed the autopsies of the victims who testified that the cause of death for all three were “multiple blunt force injuries” and were classified as accidents for the purpose of public health statistics.
Finally an expert in accident reconstruction demonstrated that while Walker was allegedly going nearly double the speed limit at the time of the collision, she was slowing down from her original speed from around 100 miles per hour. At the time of the crash, she was said to be traveling at about 73 miles per hour.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 31.
