D.C. Police have recently released the identity of the second individual who tragically lost their life in a car crash that occurred at the start of July, following a police pursuit. The incident has been making headlines in Washington.
On July 2 at around 12:35 p.m., a fiery crash in the District claimed the lives of 17-year-old Dashawn Harris from Southeast, D.C. and 18-year-old Zagory Leo Hill from District Heights, Md. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed that both individuals died at the scene.
According to MPD, a BMW that was being pursued by U.S. Park Police and Anne Arundel County Police in connection with multiple robberies was driving at a visibly high speed in the 4100 block of Southern Ave. when it lost control and swerved off the road, ultimately mounting the sidewalk.
According to a recent news release by MPD, the vehicle, a BMW, was travelling south when it collided with a tree with tremendous impact. The collision caused the car to break into two, and the front part of the vehicle rotated before coming to a halt against an iron fence.
After being thrown out of the car, 19-year-old Demetri Koger attempted to flee the scene but was ultimately apprehended by the police. He was charged with being a fugitive from justice and taken to a hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.
The authorities had to extract Harris and Hill from the vehicle with the assistance of responding officers and DC Fire and EMS. Sadly, both individuals passed away at the scene.
On July 3, the police were able to identify Harris, but it wasn’t until July 15 that Hill was identified by the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and MPD investigators.
If you have any information, MPD is urging you to contact them by calling (202) 727-9099 or texting 50411.