DC police officers sentenced for deadly moped chase cover-up
- Two D.C. police officers were sentenced for their roles in a deadly moped chase that resulted in Karon Hylton-Brown's death.
- The chase involved reckless driving and violated police pursuit policies, with no evidence that Hylton-Brown posed a threat.
- The case highlights the need for accountability in law enforcement and has sparked public protests and discussions about police conduct.
Two police officers in Washington, D.C., were sentenced for their involvement in a deadly chase that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown in October 2020. Officer Terence Sutton received a sentence of five years and six months for murder, while former lieutenant Andrew Zabavsky was sentenced to four years for conspiracy to cover up the incident. The chase, which lasted nearly three minutes, involved reckless driving and violated police pursuit policies, as Hylton-Brown was not a fleeing felon and posed no immediate threat. The incident sparked significant public outcry, leading to protests outside a police station following Hylton-Brown's death. Prosecutors highlighted that the officers' actions not only endangered public safety but also constituted a severe breach of trust. Sutton and Zabavsky attempted to conceal the circumstances surrounding the crash, including ignoring eyewitness accounts and failing to preserve evidence. The case drew attention as it marked a rare instance of police officers being charged with serious crimes related to their on-duty conduct. U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves emphasized the importance of public trust in law enforcement, stating that such crimes undermine the integrity of the police force and the community's safety. Hylton-Brown's family expressed their grief and anger over the loss, describing him as a loving father. The sentences reflect a broader movement towards accountability within police departments, aiming to deter similar misconduct in the future.