Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Richmond police officer Richard Johnson is on trial today for the death of two people in a car crash last April.
Johnson, according to court documents, was driving a police car when he struck another car at the intersection of Bell and Castlewood Road, killing both people inside. 18-year old Jeremiah Ruffin and 19-year-old Tracey Williams were killed in the crash. Police say neither was wearing a seatbelt, and both were ejected from the vehicle.
Williams' mother sued the city last year claiming Johnson was negligent, running a red light and traveling twice the speed limit. Now, Johnson faces charges including failure to yield the right of way, reckless driving, and two felony counts of involuntary manslaughter.