Moped Driver Killed By Suspected Stolen Vehicle's Driver

HYATTSVILLE, MD — A 46-year-old Hyattsville man was killed Saturday when the moped he was driving was hit by a stolen vehicle whose occupants were trying to elude police.

On Saturday around 5:35 p.m., United States Park Police detected a stolen vehicle, a silver 2014 Honda Accord, traveling in the area of Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Avenue, Northwest. United States Park Police attempted to stop the stolen vehicle but the driver took off headed north on Rock Creek Parkway onto Shoreham Drive, north on 24th Street and south onto Connecticut Avenue, Northwest.

As the suspect vehicle sped south on the William Howard Taft Bridge, the Honda Accord crossed into the opposite lanes of traffic and hit a moped. The driver of the moped, later identified as 46-year-old Nolberto Meza of Hyattsville, was thrown from the moped and onto the street, according to authorities.

The stolen vehicle did not stop and continued southbound off the William Howard Taft Bridge and onto Connecticut Avenue, Northwest. The driver of the stolen vehicle turned onto Kalorama Road, Northwest, and hit a Toyota RAV4. The stolen vehicle came to a stop after colliding with the Toyota. All occupants of the suspected stolen vehicle attempted to flee, but were quickly apprehended by members of the United States Park Police and the United States Marshals Service.

DC Fire and EMS were called to the scene and despite all lifesaving efforts, Meza was pronounced dead at the scene.

The occupants of the Toyota RAV4, two men, were taken to a local area hospital for treatment of injuries that weren't life-threatening.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit was requested by United States Park Police to help investigate the crash.

All occupants of the suspected stolen vehicle were arrested:

• Driver of the suspected stolen vehicle, 24-year-old Tomas Anderson, of Northeast, D.C. has been charged with Murder II.

• Occupant in the suspected stolen vehicle, 19-year-old Donnie Palacios, of Southeast, D.C., has been charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle – Crime of Violence.

• Occupant in the suspected stolen vehicle, a 16-year-old juvenile male of Fort Washington, has been charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle – Crime of Violence.