105 MPH Fatal Crash In Anne Arundel Prompts Prison Time For DC Officer: Report

LOTHIAN, MD — A Washington, D.C. police officer was sentenced to prison Friday for a 105 mph crash that killed a young couple in Lothian, prosecutors said.

Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess identified the accused officer as Austin Kirk Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Leitess said Smith was sentenced to 18 months in prison on two counts of felony vehicular manslaughter.

The state's attorney said the crash killed 21-year-old Nicholas Raymond Harris of Lothian and 23-year-old Leah Mae Foster of Chesapeake Beach.

"The reckless manner in which the defendant was driving showed not only a lack of judgment, but a total disregard for human life," Leitess said in a press release. "Had the defendant been driving even close to the speed limit, this tragedy could have been avoided."

Smith was off-duty and driving a Dodge Charger sports car on his way home from work on May 27, 2021. Prosecutors said Smith hit the passenger side of an SUV that was turning left from Maryland Route 4 onto Lower Pindell Road.

The state's attorney said Harris was the driver of the SUV and Foster was the front-seat passenger.

Related: 2 Dead, 1 Hurt After South County Crash: Police

Investigation revealed that Smith was driving nearly twice the 55 mph speed limit leading up to the crash, Leitess said.

Prosecutors said Smith in January pleaded guilty in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis.

"This sentence sets the example that anyone who commits such an irresponsible act will be held accountable, regardless of their position," Leitess said.

Assistant State's Attorney Carolynn Grammas prosecuted the case. Judge Stacy McCormack presided over it.

This map shows the area where prosecutors said the crash happened.