Wrongful-Death Lawsuit Filed After Fatal Dallas Crash
Mindi Crapo sued a Dallas police officer following a 2025 collision that killed 25-year-old Atianna Washington.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Mindi Crapo has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Dallas police officer Jaime Castro and Angela Valles following the death of Atianna Washington. The legal action seeks damages to support Washington's 6-year-old son after she was struck by a vehicle in March 2025.
Why it matters
The lawsuit centers on claims that Castro and Valles provided false information to investigators regarding who was driving the vehicle during the fatal crash. This case has drawn significant scrutiny toward the Dallas Police Department for its handling of the internal investigation.
Jaime Castro and Angela Valles pleaded guilty to providing false information to police in March 2026. The wrongful-death trial is currently scheduled to begin in June 2027.
The players
Jaime Castro
He is a Dallas police officer and serves as the president of the local police union.
Mindi Crapo
She is the 51-year-old plaintiff who initiated the wrongful-death lawsuit.
Dallas Police Department
This is the local law enforcement agency that investigated the fatal crash and disciplined six of its officers.
The details
Jaime Castro, who serves as president of the local police union, has denied the allegations in formal court filings. An internal investigation by the Dallas Police Department resulted in disciplinary actions against six officers for their conduct during the case.
Timeline
March 15, 2025: Atianna Washington was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by Jaime Castro.
March 2026: Jaime Castro and Angela Valles entered guilty pleas for providing false information.
September 17, 2026: The Dallas Police Department issued disciplinary actions to six officers.
June 2027: The wrongful-death lawsuit trial is scheduled to commence.
Legal Context
The disciplinary actions taken against six officers reflect the city of Dallas's internal police disciplinary protocols. This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny regarding police oversight and transparency in high-profile local investigations.
The internal investigation and subsequent discipline of six officers provide the public with insight into the accountability measures within the Dallas Police Department. Residents may continue to follow the 2027 trial to understand the outcome of the allegations regarding the conduct of local law enforcement.
The takeaway
This case highlights the intersection of civil litigation and internal police accountability when officers are involved in fatal incidents. Families pursuing wrongful-death claims face a lengthy legal process that can span several years from the initial incident to a final trial.
What happens next
The wrongful-death lawsuit trial is scheduled to begin in June 2027.
Further reading
For more updates on local legal proceedings, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dallas Morning News.
