Six officers from the Dallas Police Department have faced disciplinary actions following an investigation into their response to a fatal accident that occurred in 2025. The crash involved Jaime Castro, the former president of the Dallas Police Association, and resulted in the death of 25-year-old Atianna Washington.
Washington was fatally struck while attempting to cross Northwest Highway. At the time of the incident, Castro was reported as a passenger in the vehicle and was seen interacting with fellow officers at the scene. He resigned from the force in January of the following year and, shortly after, pleaded guilty to making a false statement regarding the identity of the vehicle’s driver during the incident.
The disciplinary measures stem from an internal review that uncovered over a dozen violations committed by the six officers involved in the case. Among those disciplined, a police sergeant received an eight-day suspension, while two other officers faced shorter suspensions. Additionally, another sergeant and two officers were issued written reprimands. The officers have the option to appeal the disciplinary actions taken against them.
The incident occurred on March 15, 2025, when Washington was struck by a vehicle. Castro, who was serving as a senior corporal at the time, was identified as a passenger in the police report. Footage from the night of the incident showed him engaging with other officers and shaking hands, raising questions about the appropriateness of his conduct at the scene.
In November, Castro was placed on administrative leave amid increasing scrutiny from the victim’s family, who raised concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation. After being with the department since 1998, Castro announced his retirement in January and also stepped down from his role as police union president. In March, he entered a plea of guilty to a charge of making a false statement to law enforcement regarding who was driving the vehicle during the fatal incident.
Washington’s family has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both Castro and his girlfriend, Angela Valles, alleging that law enforcement did not conduct a comprehensive and unbiased investigation. Authorities have not publicly clarified the identity of the driver involved in the crash, nor have they provided additional details following Castro’s guilty plea.
Brandon Friedman, a member of the City of Dallas Community Police Oversight Board, emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “People who commit crimes need to be held accountable, and those who cover up for them should also face consequences.” He expressed concern that preferential treatment for officers tarnishes the image of the Dallas community.
In response to the situation, the Dallas Police Association acknowledged the tragedy of Washington’s death while affirming their commitment to ensuring fair and consistent disciplinary processes for their members. They stressed that any disciplinary actions should be based on each officer’s individual conduct rather than the high-profile nature of the incident.
