Richmond Cop Charged In Car Crash Deaths Of 2 Teens: Officials

RICHMOND, VA — A Richmond police officer has been indicted on manslaughter charges in connection with the deaths of two teenagers killed in an officer-involved car crash, according to Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin.

A special grand jury indicted Richard D. Johnson on Tuesday on two counts of involuntary manslaughter, one count of reckless driving and one count of failure to yield the right of way.

The charges stem from an April 7 accident that claimed the lives of Tracey Williams, 19, and Jeremiah Ruffin, 18.

Officers Richard Johnson and Dquan Walker were responding to a call for a burglary in progress about 3 miles west of where the crash happened. The call came in one minute before the 10:42 p.m. crash, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Meanwhile, Ruffin and Williams were traveling in a sedan that was struck by the cruiser. Neither teen was wearing a seatbelt and both were ejected in the crash, NBC 12 reported.

Both teenagers died of their injuries, according to NBC 12.