Washington, D.C
Family of man killed in police chase turned hit and run speaks out
A family from Guinea is desperately searching for answers after their loved one was killed in a hit and run in Downtown D.C. The driver of the car was fleeing from police.
Twenty-five-year-old Alpha Oumar Kake spent more than a month fighting for his life, but died of his injuries last week.
The crash happened August 31 at 15th and L Streets Northwest near McPherson Square.
A body worn camera video captured the moments when a D.C. police officer tried to pull over a Jeep with no headlights, but the Jeep took off.
Police say that driver continued for about two blocks, drove into oncoming traffic, then ran a red light and hit Kake, who was on a moped.
According to his uncle, Kake was working as a food delivery driver to earn money for his family back home in Guinea.
Kake’s uncle, who speaks French and communicated with News4 via a translator, said his nephew was kind and friendly to everyone. The two of them lived together.
Kake’s uncle said being at home is now a heartbreaking reminder that his nephew is gone.
He said he hopes police find the hit and run driver who took off and that it isn’t for him to decide if the officer made the right calls that night.
As far as the D.C. police pursuit policy, it defines a pursuit, or chase, as going above the local speed limit and says officers cannot chase for only a traffic violation.
Police policy also says there are a number of other factors that have to be considered before a chase is allowed, such as whether the person committed a violent crime or poses an immediate threat and if innocent bystanders are put in danger by a chase.
Police say the incident is now being reviewed by the U.S. attorney’s office, and there will be a D.C. Police internal affairs investigation to determine if there were any unjustified actions, which would be referred for disciplinary action.
Numerous roads in D.C. will be closed to traffic Monday evening for a fireworks show celebrating America’s 25th birthday.
Projectors have lit up all four sides of the Washington Monument nightly since 7 p.m. Wednesday for the “Illumination of America: Washington Monument Lighting.” The fireworks that lit up the National Mall on New Year’s Eve are making a return Monday night, which is the last night of the display.
The grand finale of the display comes with some parking restrictions and street closures.
Street and parking restrictions for Freedom 250 fireworks
D.C. police said Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 17th Street NW will be an Emergency No Parking zone from roughly 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The following streets will be closed to traffic from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:
- Westbound 395 – no traffic toward Maine Avenue/Independence Avenue, SW
- Independence Avenue from 15th Street to 23rd Street, SW
- Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 12th Street, NW (westbound traffic will be restricted)
- Constitution Avenue from 12th Street to 23rd Street, NW
- Virginia Avenue from 20th Street to 18th Street, NW
- 19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to New York Avenue, NW
- 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- Madison Drive from 7th Street to 14th Street, NW
Police said all street closures and listed times are subject to change.
“Freedom 250 is lighting up the Washington Monument as the world’s tallest birthday candle to kick off the nation’s 250th birthday year,” Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom 250, said ahead of the New Year’s Eve event.
Freedom 250 is the presidentially appointed committee planning the year-long celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. It was created by the second Trump administration as part of the Department of the Interior, and is a separate organization from America250, which was created by Congress.
The event will “be looking at America’s past, present and what’s to come over the next 250 years,” Krach said.
“Primarily it will focus on the four pillars of Freedom 250, which is innovation; it’s also community and faith; it’s also on the beauty of our country as well,” Krach said. “And, you know, the other thing that’s great about that is that it’ll be something that will kind of be an animation and I think everybody’s going to enjoy it. So from adults to kids and everything.”
The event is free to the public, can be viewed from anywhere on the National Mall, and does not require tickets.
WASHINGTON (7News) — On Saturday evening, Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District officers responded to a fatal crash on I-295 northbound near Exit 1 for Laboratory Road, Southwest.
The incident occurred around 7:50 p.m. when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle, police said.
READ MORE | Notorious 295 speed camera rakes in $26M, while DC residents question its legitimacy
Prince George’s County police officers were already on the scene when the MPD officers arrived.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not yet released the victim’s age or gender.
ALSO SEE | Woman killed after pedestrian-vehicle crash in Fairfax County
The driver of the vehicle involved in the collision remained at the scene.
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Police urge anyone with information about the incident to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.
The United States military carried out a “large scale” strike inside the nation of Venezuela early Saturday morning, in addition to capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were flown out of the country.
https://www.wavy.com/news/national/virginia-leaders-speak-out-after-u-s-military-strike-on-venezuela/
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