DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park found probable cause a defendant caused a crash that killed a pedestrian in downtown DC during a preliminary hearing on Feb. 27.
Santana Matthews, 20, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 28-year-old Aaron Williams on Jan. 7 at the intersection of 16th and L Streets, NW. Williams died from blunt force trauma after he was struck by a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed.
According to court documents, Matthews reportedly estimated to police that his speed was 60 mph while driving through the intersection. The speed limit where the crash occurred is 25 mph.
At Matthews’ preliminary hearing, prosecutors called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective from the Major Crash Investigations Unit to testify. Through video footage and maps, the detective described the path of the Chevy Malibu, allegedly driven by Matthews, prior to the crash.
The detective explained that a marked MPD cruiser followed the Malibu as the vehicle pulled into traffic through a red stoplight and drove on the wrong side of the road. At the intersection of 16th and M Streets, NW, the detective pointed out that the Malibu hit a Jeep from behind, left the scene without stopping, and continued driving south towards L Street.
The detective identified Williams in videos walking on the sidewalk on L Street. As Williams crossed the intersection, the Malibu drove through a solid red stoplight on 16th Street and hit him. The video showed Williams traveling through the air, hitting the bed of a nearby truck, and then landing on the ground.
After the crash, an individual the detective identified as Matthews, sprinted from the scene and officers shortly apprehended him.
The prosecutor confirmed with the detective that a vehicle inspection report concluded there were no defects with the Chevy Malibu.
Stephen LoGerfo, Matthews’ attorney, noted during cross-examination that his client did not own the Malibu. According to the detective, the owner of the Malibu said Matthews was alone when he picked up the vehicle around 2 p. m. the day of the crash.
LoGerfo confirmed with the detective that multiple witnesses said Matthews exited from the passenger seat of the Malibu. Although, the detective noted one witness said Matthews exited the driver’s seat and no witnesses mentioned seeing anyone else in the vehicle.
The detective told LoGerfo that before the crash, two MPD officers in a marked vehicle attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the Malibu. LoGerfo noted that the Malibu drove to escape the MPD vehicle. The detective confirmed that when detained, Matthews cooperated and asked why the officers chased him.
The prosecutor argued there was probable cause that Matthews “struck and killed a person who was just trying to cross the street.” They asserted Matthews’ reckless driving extended over multiple blocks with a variety of dangerous traffic maneuvers and “unfortunately on that last block he finally hit someone.”
The stoplight was red for a long time and Williams was not the only pedestrian present when the crash occurred, emphasized the prosecutor.
LoGerfo asked Judge Park to not find probable cause because there was an identification issue, asserting discrepancies about whether there were one or two people in the vehicle and which side Matthews exited from.
Additionally, LoGerfo argued the prosecution failed to establish the consciousness of extreme risk required for second-degree murder. There was no indication of the speed of the vehicle or that the driver was under the influence, claimed LoGerfo.
Judge Park found probable cause that Matthews acted in conscious disregard of serious bodily injury. Before the crash, Matthews operated the vehicle recklessly at a high rate of speed, on the wrong side of the road, and ignored stop signs. “The video speaks for itself,” said the judge.
“It is a matter of luck that more people were not seriously injured,” said Judge Park, emphasizing the crash occurred in downtown DC with many people nearby.
In addition, Judge Park concluded there was “no issue of ID in this case” because a witness identified Matthews as the person driving the vehicle and Matthews himself acknowledged he was driving and alone.
LoGerfo then requested Matthews’s release with any conditions the court wished to impose. According to LoGerfo, Matthews lived with his mother, had stable family support, and was in a carpentry apprentice program prior to the offense.
The circumstances of the case are “a little bit complicated,” said LoGerfo and argued it was “not a permissible police chase under MPD policy.” LoGerfo said the circumstances did not excuse Matthews from responsibility, but he violated traffic laws while police chased him and “something really horrible happened.”
Judge Park denied Matthews’ release because of his “extremely reckless conduct in a crowded urban area.” Although the judge acknowledged it was not a deliberate homicide, he said the weight of the evidence was strong. In addition, Judge Park noted Matthews was on probation in two separate felony gun offenses when the offense occurred and fled from police in an attempt to escape responsibility.
Parties are set to reconvene on May 28.
