Six Dallas Police Department officers have been disciplined following an internal investigation into how they handled a fatal 2025 crash that involved the former president of the Dallas Police Association.
Investigators identified 14 violations across the six officers. A sergeant was given an eight-day suspension, two officers received shorter suspensions, and another sergeant and two additional officers were issued written reprimands. The officers may appeal the discipline.
The discipline stems from the March 15, 2025, crash on Northwest Highway that killed 25-year-old Atianna Washington, who was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the road.
Jaime Castro, then a senior corporal with the Dallas Police Department and president of the Dallas Police Association, was listed on the police report as a passenger in the vehicle. News footage from the scene showed Castro in a white T-shirt speaking with and shaking hands with other officers.
Castro was placed on administrative leave in November after an attorney for Washington’s family began raising questions about the case, prompting an internal affairs investigation. He announced his retirement in January, ending a career with the department that began in 1998, and also stepped down from his role leading the police union.
In March, Castro pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to police officers. Court records indicate the false statement involved a claim that his girlfriend was driving the vehicle at the time of the fatal crash and that she had not consumed alcohol beforehand.
Police have not publicly stated who was driving the vehicle when Washington was struck and did not provide additional details after Castro’s guilty plea.
Washington’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Castro and his girlfriend, Angela Valles, alleging that law enforcement did not conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
Brandon Friedman, a member of the City of Dallas Community Police Oversight Board, said officers should face consequences.
“Accountability is a huge thing now, whether it’s locally here in Dallas or nationally — and people who commit crimes need to be held accountable and people who cover up for people who commit crimes also need to be held accountable,” Friedman said, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
“It reflects poorly on the City of Dallas when we have police officers who are given preferential treatment.”
In a statement, the Dallas Police Association said its thoughts remain with Washington’s family and emphasized that its members are entitled to due process.
“The Dallas Police Association supports accountability, but discipline must be fair, consistent, and based on the individual actions of each officer, not simply their involvement in a high-profile incident,” the association said, per Fox 4.
The union said it would continue to support its members through the disciplinary and appeals process and would not comment on individual decisions to appeal.
Provided by Dallas Express
