UPDATE: The president of the Dallas Police Association, Jaime Castro, has been placed on administrative leave as the Dallas Police Department conducts an urgent investigation into a fatal crash that occurred on March 15, 2023. This developing story raises critical questions about transparency and accountability within the department.
Castro, a 26-year veteran of the force, was officially placed on leave last Friday as the department’s Internal Affairs Division probes the circumstances surrounding the death of Atianna Washington, who was tragically struck and killed while crossing the 2500 block of West Northwest Highway. The vehicle involved reportedly remained at the scene, but details about the incident remain scarce.
According to Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, the investigation is ongoing, but the department has not released further information. This lack of communication has aggravated Washington’s family, represented by attorney Scott Palmer, who expressed their frustration over the insufficient updates. “When there’s an investigation into one of their own, we typically don’t get a lot of information,” Palmer stated.
The crash report indicates that questions about the identity of the driver persist. Palmer noted, “There’s always been an open question in my client’s mind, and in ours, as to who was driving,” referring to indications that the vehicle was operated by Castro’s girlfriend. However, police have not confirmed her identity, and no criminal charges have been filed to date.
As the investigation progresses, Palmer emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We have a loss of life here, and this is critical, this is serious.” The family is seeking clarity and justice for Washington, who cannot speak for herself, making witness statements and reports vital to the case.
Dallas police have not indicated whether the internal affairs investigation is directly tied to the March crash. Meanwhile, FOX 4 has requested access to body camera footage, incident reports, and additional internal records related to the case. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office has not yet disclosed whether the matter will be presented to a grand jury.
As this situation unfolds, questions of accountability and justice linger heavily in the community. The family of Atianna Washington seeks answers, and the public is watching closely as developments continue to emerge. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this urgent matter.
