Family of dirt bike rider killed in crash with DC police questioning police reports

WASHINGTON - A local family is questioning D.C. police's version of events after 22-year-old Jeffrey Price died after he was involved in a crash with a police cruiser on Friday.

Police say Price was riding an illegal dirt bike, driving on the wrong side of the road and speeding when he struck a marked police cruiser on Division Avenue at Fitch Place NE.

Now, the family says witnesses are telling them a completely different story.

Price's uncle Jay Brown says several witnesses have told the family they saw police officers pursuing Price, which is against DC Police Department policy. Brown also says witnesses say the police SUV involved in the crash cut off Price in an attempt to stop him.

Video from the scene shows a red dirt bike that appeared to crash into the front passenger door of the police cruiser. The front passenger door had significant damage and the airbags were deployed.

Brown says it's clear from the police cruiser being so far out in the road that the cruiser was somehow trying to cut off his nephew.

"It was an intentional act. It's against police policy. And it's a premeditated homicide, it's murder," said Brown.

Brown said his nephew was a "great young man" who leaves behind a girlfriend and a tight-knit family.

"He wasn't you know out here robbing and killing. He just had a hobby that he loved," Brown said.

MPD did not answer specific questions from FOX 5 about Brown's allegations. On Friday in a tweet to another reporter, police said "We don't have any evidence that our officers were engaged in a pursuit."

The officer involved in the crash was not injured, according to police. That officer has not been identified.

The incident remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099.