A tragic police pursuit through Northwest Washington ended in the death of 46-year-old Nolberto Meza of Hyattsville, Maryland, after a stolen vehicle being chased by authorities struck his moped head-on on the William Howard Taft Bridge Saturday evening.
According to investigators, the incident began around 5:35 p.m. when U.S. Park Police spotted a stolen silver 2014 Honda Accord near Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Avenue NW. Authorities say the driver, 24-year-old Tomas Anderson of Northeast Washington, refused to stop when officers attempted a traffic stop and instead sped away, leading police on a dangerous pursuit through several city streets.
The chase continued onto Connecticut Avenue and across the Taft Bridge, where Anderson allegedly crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with Meza’s moped. The force of the crash threw Meza into the roadway, causing catastrophic injuries. Despite immediate response and extensive lifesaving efforts by D.C. Fire and EMS personnel, Meza was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Anderson did not stop after the collision and continued driving until crashing into an occupied Toyota RAV4 on Kalorama Road NW. He and his two passengers—19-year-old Donnie Palacios and a 16-year-old male from Fort Washington, Maryland—then attempted to flee on foot before being captured by U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Anderson has been charged with second-degree murder, while Palacios and the juvenile passenger face charges related to unauthorized use of a vehicle. The investigation remains ongoing as family and friends mourn the devastating loss of Nolberto Meza.
