Driver faces murder charge after deadly stolen car chase on Taft Bridge, 3 arrested

Three people were arrested following a Park Police chase that ended in a dealy crash on William Howard Taft Bridge in Northwest, where a moped rider was struck and killed. D.C. Police identified the driver as 24-year-old Tomas Anderson of Northeast D.C. His passengers, 19-year-old Donnie Palacios of Southeast D.C. and a 16-year-old male from Fort Washington, Maryland, were also arrested. The chaotic scene began around 5:35 pm Saturday when Park Police spotted Anderson driving a stolen silver 2014 Honda Accord near Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Avenue NW. When officers attempted to pull Anderson over, he sped away in the Honda. SEE ALSO | Police chase ends with death of moped rider on Taft Bridge in NW DC The pursuit wound through several Northwest streets, with Anderson fleeing north on Rock Creek Parkway, onto Shoreham Drive, north on 24th Street, and then turning south onto Connecticut Avenue. As the stolen vehicle hurtled southbound across Taft Bridge, Anderson crossed the center line into oncoming traffic, striking the moped driver head-on. Authorities said the impact threw the moped driver, 46-year-old Nolberto Meza of Hyattsville, Maryland, into the road. Instead of stopping, Anderson continued southbound off the bridge and onto Connecticut Avenue, NW. SEE ALSO | 1 dead after 2 motorcycles collide in Rockville Anderson then turned onto Kalorama Road NW, where he slammed into an occupied Toyota RAV4, finally bringing the stolen vehicle to a halt. All three occupants of the Honda jumped out of the wrecked car and attempted to flee the scene on foot. They were quickly tracked down and apprehended by members of the U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Marshals Service . DC Fire and EMS personnel rushed to the Taft Bridge, but despite exhaustive lifesaving efforts, Meza died on the scene. The two occupants of the Toyota RAV4, both adult males, were transported to a local hospital. Officials stated their injuries are not life-threatening. Anderson has been charged with second-degree murder. Palacios has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. The 16-year-old also faces a charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle. The investigation remains ongoing.