Vehicular Homicide Defendant’s Driving Privileges Extended

By Laura Berol - June 10, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Traffic | Victims |

Olivia Ayong, who is on release pending a trial for vehicular homicide, is now allowed to drive two hours longer each day, ruled DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt at a hearing on June 7.

Ayong, 49, is charged with negligent homicide of a pedestrian for her alleged involvement in the traffic death of Ralph Williams, 72. The incident occurred on the 900 block of K Street, NE, on Nov. 25, 2022.

Arrest documents report that Williams was unloading groceries from the rear of his vehicle when Ayong drove into him and his vehicle, causing him to be pinned between the two cars. Williams was transported to Medstar Washington Hospital Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to court documents, Ayong, who works as a home health care provider, was transporting a patient at the time of the incident. Court documents state that Ayong tested negative for alcohol or drug use, and the patient in her vehicle said she was not using her phone at the time.

Alvin Thomas, who was standing in for Ayong’s lawyer, Maria Mena, at the June 7 hearing, asked Judge Brandt to extend Ayong’s permitted driving hours by four hours on weekdays and to allow her to drive on weekends. Thomas argued that Ayong was prevented from accepting many job assignments because of her driving restrictions.

The prosecutor objected to Ayong being allowed to drive at all, even for work, given that she was driving as part of her job at the time of Williams’ death.

Judge Brandt extended Ayong’s permitted driving hours by two hours on weekdays but did not allow her to drive on weekends. Judge Brandt stated that she would consider more significant changes to Ayong’s release conditions after the preliminary hearing.

Alvin Thomas requested that the preliminary hearing, which had been scheduled for June 7, be delayed to allow for the possibility of plea negotiations.

The prosecutor stated that the prosecution has not extended a plea offer and won’t do so before speaking with the victim’s family.

The next hearing is set for July 9.