Two police cars have been totaled in Washington, D.C. after a drag race between officers.
It is understood that the officers involved in the incident started racing each other on Anacostia Avenue near Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Garden and were traveling at up to 60 mph (96 km/h). Video taken in the immediate aftermath of the crash shows the two patrol cars crashed into each other, with one of them having smashed through the wooden fence of a house.
While the damage done to the cars doesn’t appear significant, Fox 5 DC was told that both vehicles were totaled in the crash.
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“Yesterday two 6D scout cars were totaled because officers decided instead of fighting crime, patrolling their beats, or engaging the community – they decided to drag race each other on Anacostia Avenue at 5 pm in the evening,” 6D Commander Durriiah Habeebullah said in an emailed statement. “What does this say to all the members of MPD who are passionate about their job and work hard every day to make a difference. This is not fair to any of us.”
The four police officers are said to all be relatively new to the force. Neither local Mayor Muriel Bowser nor Chief Robert Contee have responded to requests for comment after the crash and regarding the employment status of the officers involved.
Habeebullah told Fox 5 DC that she is holding command staff responsible to have discussions with officers about the dangers of speeding and driving recklessly.