Six Dallas Police Department officers faced disciplinary action following an internal investigation into their handling of a March 15, 2025, fatal crash involving Jaime Castro, the former president of the Dallas Police Association, according to internal records and reports from local outlets like FOX 4 and The Dallas Morning News. The collision on West Northwest Highway claimed the life of 25-year-old Atianna Washington as she attempted to cross the roadway.
Disciplinary Actions and Violations Uncovered
According to the Dallas Police Department, the internal review uncovered 14 total violations among the six responding officers. A Dallas Police sergeant received an eight-day suspension during a department hearing. Investigators also handed down a five-day suspension for a DWI officer and a one-day suspension for the accident investigator. Another sergeant received a written reprimand, while two officers—including Officer Cory Adams—received supervisors’ reports, which mark the final corrective step before formal discipline.
Response at the Crash Scene
Body-worn camera footage reviewed by The Dallas Morning News shows that Officer Adams recognized Castro immediately upon arriving at the scene where Washington lay unresponsive. Castro wore a white T-shirt and police uniform pants, telling officers he was heading to an off-duty security job. When asked who was driving the black Cadillac that struck the victim, Castro answered for his fiancée, Angela Valles, stating, “So, we’re driving, she’s driving.”
According to internal records, responding officers permitted Castro to move freely around the scene and stand nearby during witness interviews. Police waited nearly three hours to separate Castro, Valles, and her daughter for questioning. Although officers noted smelling alcohol on Castro and Valles acknowledged drinking earlier that day, neither underwent field sobriety testing at the scene.
Legal Fallout and Guilty Pleas
The investigation gained momentum after Washington’s father, Jessie Washington, filed a handwritten complaint with the city’s Office of Community Police Oversight, alleging a cover-up. Simultaneously, Washington’s mother, Mindi Crapo, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Castro and Valles, which remains pending with a trial scheduled for June 2027.
Castro remained on duty for roughly eight months following the crash before being placed on administrative leave in November. He subsequently retired in January and 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 regarding who was driving and whether alcohol was consumed. Valles also entered a guilty plea for making a false statement.
Departmental and Community Response
Dallas Police Department spokesperson Allison Hudson stated that Police Chief Daniel Comeaux expects every investigation to be handled thoroughly and professionally, regardless of an individual’s position or relationships within the agency. Brandon Friedman, a member of the City of Dallas Community Police Oversight Board, emphasized to FOX 4 that individuals who cover up crimes must face accountability to prevent reflections of preferential treatment within the city.
The Dallas Police Association released a statement noting that while the union supports accountability, discipline must remain fair, consistent, and based on individual actions rather than high-profile visibility. The disciplined officers retain the right to appeal their punishments through the department’s administrative process.
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