Bystander killed in DC after Park Police chase was asylum seeker delivering food

A bystander hit and killed in D.C. by a driver being chased by U.S. Park Police was an asylum seeker who was making a food delivery, his grieving loved ones say.

Nolberto Meza, a father who arrived in the U.S. two years ago, was the victim. He was 46.

On Saturday when he was killed, Meza was delivering food for DoorDash by moped, investigators said. He was killed instantly when Park Police say the driver of a stolen car sped into oncoming traffic on the Taft Bridge in Northwest.

Meza entered the U.S. through what's known as the CBP One program and had a court date in January to hear his claim of asylum, his longtime partner said.

“What happened was, I called him so many times to his cellphone. I left more than 50 calls until an officer picked up the phone and said he had his phone. I thought he had been detained by ICE,” Angelica Sequera told News4 sister station T44 in Spanish from her home in Venezuela.

She said getting information from authorities has been frustrating and difficult.

“When the police officer gave me the news, well, it’s horrible, and truly, I was shocked,” Sequera said.

On Saturday evening, police said an officer with the U.S. Park Police spotted a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Avenue and attempted to make a traffic stop. But when the driver began to flee, the officer chased them until the fatal crash on the bridge.

Meza’s sister, Marlin Meza, said she was stunned to learn prosecutors dropped the charges against the two men in the car who were arrested by police. She referred to her brother as Armando.

“Armando left here with dreams, goals, not for his life to be taken away in that way, because I feel like this is not fair,” she said. “I want justice for my brother.”

The U.S. attorney’s office aid it did not have all the facts and evidence to make a decision on filing charges, and so the men arrested were released from custody.

Meza is the second person to be killed since U.S. Park Police loosened their policy on pursuits last August. News4 asked Park Police if they would review the policy but have not heard back.

Meza's family, from a world away, is working to get Meza's body back to his home country for a funeral and burial.

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