WASHINGTON – In a chilling incident of road rage gone awry, Morris Harley, 37, has pleaded guilty to second degree murder for the fatal hit and run that claimed the life of pedestrian Daniel Olaya. The plea hearing was held on May 31st, and U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Peter Newsham announced the charges.
The incident occurred at around 1:45 a.m. on February 5, 2019, at the intersection of 4th and T Streets NW in downtown Washington. Harley, driving a Toyota RAV4, engaged in a verbal spat with Olaya and his companions after stopping and exiting his vehicle. Footage from nearby surveillance cameras captured the confrontation that escalated into tragedy.
Video shows Harley threatening Olaya after the victim took a photograph of the RAV4’s license plate. As Olaya attempted to leave, Harley accelerated towards him, striking him with the vehicle and then speeding off out of sight. The car was later identified through the license plate photo, discovered parked at Harley’s girlfriend’s residence with different plates.
The plea calls for a sentence of 15 years in prison, which will be handed down by Honorable Juliet McKenna on August 9, 2019. The case has been praised for its thorough investigation by MPD officers and detectives from the Major Crash Investigations Unit and the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch.
U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham also commended the efforts of Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin, Forensic Examiner John Marsh, Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Siegerist, and Victim/Witness Advocate Marcy Rinker from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward A. O’Connell for his role in prosecuting the case.
RELATED: Monkey Torture Ringleader Pleads Guilty
RELATED: Predator Got 20: MO Man Sexually Abused Teen
Related Federal Cases
- DC Dealer Gets 20 Months for Fentanyl, Coke Run · Alabama
- D.C. Killer Gets Life for Child’s Murder · Washington
- Chinatown Walgreens Hit: 10.5 Years for Plotter · Washington
- D.C. Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Partner’s Murder · Washington
- Smith Gets 15 Years for Attempted Hit on U.S. Marshal · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
