Karon Hylton-Brown (2020)
Overview
On October 23, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia officers Terence Sutton, Carlos Tejera, Ahmed Al-Shrawl, and Cory Novick were in an unmarked car and observed Hylton-Brown riding a rental electric scooter without a helmet and driving on a sidewalk. Sutton attempt a traffic stop, and Lieutenant Andrew Zabavsky joined with his marked police car. Hylton-Brown refused to yield to the officers. After a three-minute chase, Hylton-Brown's scooter emerged from an alley and collided with another car.[1] [2][3]
Department policy forbids officers from pursuing a vehicle for a traffic violation.[4]
After returning to the police station, Sutton denied engaging in a vehicular pursuit of Hylton-Brown, and Zabavsky withheld all information about his involvement in the incident, and both officers omitted any mention of Hylton-Brown's serious injuries.[5]
On October 25, 2020, Hylton-Brown succumbed to his injuries from the crash.[6]
On October 29, 2020, four D.C. police officers were placed on non-contact leave. D.C. police released two redacted videos showing body-worn camera footage.[7]
On September 23, 2021, Sutton was indicted on a local charge of second-degree murder and federal charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice.[6][5]
The indictment alleges that Sutton caused Hylton-Brown’s death by "driving a police vehicle in conscious disregard for an extreme risk of death or serious bodily injury to Hylton-Brown."[5]
Zabavsky was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice. [5]
On September 24, 2021, Sutton and Zabavsky pleaded not guilty.[8]
On October 20, 2021, Hylton-Brown's family filed a $100 million lawsuit against the city and five officers, citing violations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and seven violations of state law.[3]
On December 21, 2022, Sutton was found guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy to obstruct, and obstruction of justice. Zabavsky was found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct and obstruction of justice.[9]
On September 12, 2024, Sutton was sentenced to 66 months in prison. Zabavsky was sentenced to 48 months in prison.[10]
On January 22, 2025, President Donald Trump pardoned Zabavsky and Sutton.[11][12]
Video
- Driver Officer BWC Full Video Redacted: Karon Hylton
- Karon Hylton – Passenger Officer BWC Full Video Redacted
- News report includes home security footage
- Chief Contee addresses the indictment of two MPD members 2021-09-24
Officers Involved
Public Comments
References
- ↑ Police Release Body Camera Footage of Karon Hylton-Brown's Fatal Crash, yahoo.com, 2020-10-30
- ↑ D.C. Police Officer Indicted On Murder, Conspiracy Charges In Death Of Karon Hylton-Brown, dcist, 2021-09-24
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Karon Hylton-Brown lawsuit, United States District Court for the District of Columbia, 2021-10-20
- ↑ Vehicular Pursuits, Metropolitan Police Department, 2003-02-25
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Stamped Indictment, United States District Court, 2021-09-23
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Two Officers Indicted on Charges in Death of 20-Year-Old Karon Hylton-Brown, U.S. Attorneys Office District of Columbia, 2021-09-24
- ↑ 4 DC Officers on Leave After Karon Hylton-Brown's Fatal Scooter Crash; Body Cam Video Released, NBC4 Washington, 2020-10-29
- ↑ D.C. officer charged with murder in police pursuit crash that prompted protests, KTLA, 2021-09-24
- ↑ Police officers found guilty in fatal pursuit of man on electric scooter, ABC News, 2022-12-22
- ↑ Two MPD Officers Sentenced for 2020 Murder of Karon Hylton-Brown and Subsequent Coverup, U.S. Attorney's Office, 2024-09-12
- ↑ Executive Grant of Clemency for Andrew Zabavsky, White House, 2025-01-22
- ↑ Executive Grant of Clemency for TERENCE SUTTON, White House, 2025-01-22
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