Norton Requests Information from NPS on Crash at Hains Point that Killed Two Pedestrians

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote the National Park Service (NPS) requesting information about the investigation into an automobile crash that killed two pedestrians at Hains Point last year. Norton wrote the letter after learning that NPS has refused to provide the families of the victims the driver's name, which is necessary to file life insurance claims. Norton has long worked on getting more transparency from NPS, including in the 2017 shooting death of Bijan Ghaisar, who was unarmed, by U.S. Park Police officers.

"NPS has a track record of stonewalling requests for information regarding their investigations, including information to which families of victims are entitled," Norton said. "I have requested a response by May 6, 2022, which is a reasonable timeline to answer these basic questions."

The letter follows.

April 21, 2022

Charles F. Sams III

Director

National Park Service

1849 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20240

Dear Director Sams:

I am writing regarding the status of the investigation of the April 2021 vehicle crash at Hains Point that killed two pedestrians. I request responses to the following questions by May 6, 2022:

• What are the policies and procedures for investigating traffic crashes on National Park Service (NPS) land in the District of Columbia?
• What is the status of this investigation, including whether the findings have been presented to prosecutors?
• It is my understanding that the family of the two people who were killed cannot file life insurance claims without the name of the driver, and that NPS has not provided the name to the families. Why has NPS not provided the name?

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton

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