WASHINGTON — An MPD officer was put on administrative leave on Saturday as his or her colleagues investigate a deadly crash in Columbia Heights that killed a motorcycle driver whom officers said drove into an unmarked police car.
The crash happened near the intersection of Columbia Road and 13th Street Northwest. MPD said their officer was not headed toward an emergency early Saturday morning at around 4:20, when the department said a motorcycle drove at a high speed into the side of his or her unmarked police car.
"As the cruiser drove through the intersection, a motorized cycle driving at a high rate of speed struck the side of the cruiser," MPD said on Saturday.
The officer had apparently performed first aid on the motorcycle driver and called for D.C. Fire and EMS but the first responders ultimately could not save the motorcyclist.
"The incident was not captured on body worn camera," MPD said on Saturday. "Nearby surveillance footage is being reviewed. Any relevant footage will be released."
MPD did not immediately identify the motorcycle driver who was killed in Saturday's crash, but the department did say that the officer involved would be put on an administrative leave, "pursuant to MPD policy."
While Metro P.D. officers are part of external or internal investigations, officers are typically placed on administrative leave until the probes are finished.
