Search fatalities

James Darien Herndon

Age : 29

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 07/27/2022

Location : 2600 block of Benning Road NECity: Washington

City : District of Columbia

County : District of Columbia

State : District of Columbia

Agency : U.S. Park Police

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/04/2021, officers with the United States Park Police attempted to stop a vehicle driven by James Darien Herndon in Washington, D.C. Herndon continued driving away while officers pursued.
During the pursuit, Herndon lost control of his vehicle in the 2600 block of Benning Road NE and crashed. He died at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision.
The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia reviewed body-worn camera footage, dashboard camera video, radio communications, physical evidence, and witness statements as part of a federal investigation into the pursuit. In June 2023, federal prosecutors announced there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal civil rights charges against the involved officers.
Herndon's family criticized the decision and, through their attorney, called for greater accountability and transparency regarding the pursuit and the circumstances surrounding his death.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-officials-decline-prosecution-fatal-us-park-police-pursuit
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/06/16/james-herndon-park-police-pursuit-death/
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prosecutors-decline-to-charge-us-park-police-officers-in-2021-fatal-pursuit/3360636/