WASHINGTON — A woman who attempted to steal a car in D.C. Monday is now facing charges of murder, kidnapping and carjacking after the passenger who was in the car at the time died following a crash.
At 1:11 p.m. Monday, police received a call about a stolen car in the 100 block of Irving Street, Northwest. Investigators learned that a 22-year-old woman was waiting outside Washington Hospital Center. At the same time, a Mazda SUV pulled up to the front of the hospital and the driver got out of the car to get a wheelchair for her mother, who was in the passenger seat.
The 22-year-old woman, identified as Kayla Kenisha Brown, got into the driver's seat and drove away from the hospital with the mother still inside.
About 20 minutes later, the Mazda was headed northbound in the 400 block of 6th Street, Northwest. Brown attempted to make a turn onto D Street, lost control of the car and crashed into a building. Brown got out of the car and tried to run away, but was quickly taken into custody by MPD officers.
The woman in the passenger seat, identified by police as 55-year-old Leslie Marie Gaines, was injured in the crash and taken to the hospital for treatment. She later died of her injuries.
Brown has been charged with felony murder, kidnapping and carjacking, police announced Tuesday.
The circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation.
Brown is expected to make an initial court appearance on Tuesday.
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