At approximately 9:15 last night, Friday, April 6, 2007, a Metropolitan Police Department officer was in a traffic accident and now remains in very critical condition.

It must be noted that the accident is currently under active investigation by members of the department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit.  At this time it appears that 57-year-old Officer Wayne Pitt, a 4-year-veteran, with the department’s Third District was in his police vehicle blocking traffic for an Easter procession at Mt. Pleasant and Lamont Streets, NW.  Officer Pitt exited his vehicle to stop the operator of a motor scooter from crossing into the path of the procession.  It was apparently at this time that he realized his vehicle remained in gear.  He reportedly attempted to jump back into the vehicle to bring it to a stop but was apparently still partially out of the car when it struck the scooter and a parked car, occupied by two people, before coming to a stop after striking a tree.  The occupants of the car and motor scooter operator were not injured.  Officer Pitt was taken to the Washington Hospital Center’s MedStar Unit.  This morning he underwent additional surgery for apparent internal injuries and remains in very critical condition.

Officer Pitt was with the Durham Police Department in North Carolina for twenty years before joining the Metropolitan Police Department in May of 2002.  Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier, who responded to the hospital and met with family members of Officer Pitt noted: “I know I speak for the entire department when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Pitt and his loved ones.  We pray for his full recovery.”

UPDATE: Chief Lanier and the Department are saddened to announce that Officer Pitt passed away this morning. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.