News Releases

Update: Passenger Charged in Chevy Chase Fatal Collision

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) and the Montgomery County Police Central Auto Theft Section are continuing to investigate a single-vehicle fatal collision that occurred on March 23 in Chevy Chase involving a stolen vehicle.

On April 3^rd, detectives from the auto theft unit obtained an arrest warrant for the front seat passenger of the vehicle, Reeco Richardson, age 18, of the 6000 block of Sligo Mill Road, NE in Washington, DC.  Today, the arrest warrant was served, and Richardson was charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, theft over $1,000 to under $10,000, unauthorized removal of property, and rogue and vagabond.  Richardson was released on his own recognizance following processing.

It was on March 23 at approximately 1:13 a.m. that a 2^nd District police officer observed a Toyota Echo in the area of Connecticut Avenue and East West Highway.  The officer ran the vehicle tag via his computer and determined that the Echo had been reported as a stolen vehicle.  Before officers attempted to stop the vehicle, it began to accelerate on southbound Connecticut Avenue.  As the Echo entered Chevy Chase Circle in Montgomery County, it struck a tree.

Pursuing officers observed flames coming from the vehicle and used fire extinguishers in an attempt to subdue the fire.  Officers were able to rescue Reymard Osman, age 16, of an unconfirmed address in Washington, DC and Richardson from the vehicle.  As officers attempted to remove Emanuel Nelson, age 16, and Tyree Nelson, age 14, both of the 800 block of Longfellow Street, NW in Washington, DC, the Echo became completely engulfed in flames, and officers were forced to stop life saving attempts.

Osman was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and succumbed to his injuries on March 28.  Richardson was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  Emanuel Nelson and Tyree Nelson were pronounced deceased at the scene.

# # #

Release ID: 12-037
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases