(Woodland, CA) – March 23, 2018 – Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced that on March 22, 2018 a Yolo County jury convicted 38-year-old Sacramento man Kareem Kento Washington of a number of crimes that occurred on August 22, 2017, including, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence with a deadly weapon enhancement, multiple counts of hit-and-run with injury, hit and run with serious, permanent injury, and hit and run causing property damage.
The jury heard witnesses testify that in the evening hours of August 22, 2017 Washington got into an argument with his girlfriend. He kicked her out of the car and forced her to walk home. Washington then decided to run her over. Washington tried to hit her with his car but ended up striking a stop sign pole twice instead. On his third attempt, he tried to scare her by revving his engine then proceeded to hit her with the front of his car. The impact caused her to fly backwards and hit her head on the pavement. Washington’s car struck a wall and stalled. Bystanders intervened but Washington got back in his car and took off.
Witness saw Washington accelerate to speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights, and striking the sidewalk curb. Washington eventually sped over a center median on Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento which caused a massive collision with another car. The airbags deployed in the unsuspecting car and four people were injured. Two were taken to a local hospital. One person bit off a piece of her tongue which later caused her to lose her sense of taste. Washington, whose car was totaled, fled on foot until multiple bystanders intervened and detained him until police arrived.
The five day trial took place before the Honorable David Reed. In a separate court trial on March 22, 2018, Judge Reed found “true” that Washington had a prior strike, a prior serious or violent felony enhancement, and prison prior commitment.
District Attorney Jeff Reisig credited the cohesive investigation and collaboration between the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and West Sacramento Police Department. “The defendant’s conduct was violent and extremely dangerous,” said Reisig. “Thankfully, nobody was killed. The verdict in this case was just and fair.”
Judge Reed is scheduled to sentence Washington on April 20, 2018. Washington faces a maximum of 20 years and 8 months in state prison.
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