Driver who hit and killed DC pedestrian pleaded guilty in other cases but got no prison time

A driver who caused a crash near the White House that killed a pedestrian and left others hurt recently pleaded guilty in other cases but received no prison time.

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro pointed to the 20-year-old suspect’s record as an example of why she says laws on youth who commit crimes need to be changed.

Marckell Williams, a 26-year-old photojournalist, was walking to his church when he was hit by a car at 16th and L streets NW Wednesday afternoon. Former colleagues remembered him as a dedicated journalist with a bright future.

A document filed in D.C. Superior Court sheds light on the crash that claimed his life. Williams had the right of way and was crossing 16th Street when he was hit by a car that had been struck by a Chevy Malibu traveling at high speed.

The Malibu’s driver, Santana Matthews, had just fled a traffic stop.

Two law enforcement sources tell News4 that when Matthews was pulled over, the car he was driving was wanted by U.S. Park Police for allegedly being involved in a hit-and-run on Suitland Parkway in Prince George’s County on Dec. 15. Just days earlier, he was arrested in D.C. for carrying a pistol without a license. It was the third time he faced that charge in eight months.

The most recent charge was dismissed despite objections by Pirro’s office, she told News4.

“There was another attempt by my office to file charges against him. The judge ‘no papered’ it, and in the end, he was given YRA status – youth rehabilitation,” she said.

Court records show that since April 2024, Matthews pleaded guilty twice to carrying a pistol without a license and was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. The first time, he was sentenced to six months with all six months suspended. The second time, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison with all 12 months suspended.

On the most recent gun charge Matthews faced in December, court records show the judge dismissed the charge after finding the case lacked probable cause.

“No more,” Pirro said. “We’ve got to get rid of YRA. I’m going to do this with a vengeance. My job is to protect the people of the District, especially against those people who think that because they’re young that they can get away with it.”

Matthews also was on probation, News4 learned. Court records show just last month, a notice of failure to comply with his probation was filed in Superior Court in both of Matthews’ cases.