WASHINGTON — An eight-year veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department was killed in a motorcycle crash in Virginia on Wednesday. Police identified the officer killed as Officer Nelson Casillas.
The police department expressed sympathies for the officer's family, but did not offer details about the crash.
Virginia State Police say the crash happened in Prince William County on I-95 in the access lanes near Exit 156 for Dale City around 1 p.m. Investigators say Casillas was speeding when he got over to the exit ramp and hit a crash cushion. Casillas was thrown from the bike and struck the rear of a northbound Hyundai SUV that was traveling in the right exit lane.
Police say the 31-year-old man died at the scene. He was wearing a helmet.
This is the second motorcycle crash to claim the life of an MPD officer recently. Back in April, Sergeant Jin Park, an 11-year veteran of the department, was killed in a crash on his way home from a shift in D.C.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ofc. Nelson Casillas, an 8-year member with MPD, who was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident earlier today in Virginia. Our heartfelt sympathies are with his family & friends during this difficult time," the police department said in a tweet.
