The family of a woman killed in a Dallas crash last year says a recent guilty plea by a former police association leader is only part of their search for justice. On Friday, former Dallas Police Association President Jaime Castro and his partner, Angela Valles, pleaded guilty to making a false st atement related to the investigation into the crash that killed 25-year-old Atianna Washington. Washington was struck and killed on March 15, 2025, near Northwest Highway and Starlight. Since the night of the crash, her mother, Mindi Crapo, said she questioned who was truly behind the wheel of the vehicle involved. “I think that what the plea was is accurate and what we believed all along. But the fact that Castro was willing to go ahead and plea out to that was surprising at this early stage,” James Roberts said. Roberts, with Palmer Perlstein Law Firm, represents Crapo. The plea acknowledges that Castro provided false information when he initially told investigators he was not driving and had not been drinking. In an email to NBC 5, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office said, “Mr. Castro pleaded guilty to making a false statement – namely that Angela Valles was the driver of a vehicle involved in a traffic fatality and that he and Angela Valles did not consume any alcohol before the traffic fatality. He must take DWI classes because that is part of the conditions of his plea.” As part of the deal, Castro will also surrender his peace officer license and serve one year of deferred probation. If he successfully completes the terms, the charge will not remain on his record. Still, no one has been charged in connection with Washington’s death. “I think it’s important to remember that this isn’t about a lie,” Roberts said. “The implications from his plea deal are that he had been drinking, and someone’s life is gone.” Crapo said the plea deal confirms what she believed from the beginning, but she says it does not bring her daughter back. “Honestly, if this was an average Joe off the street who would have hit and killed my daughter and admitted to drinking and lied about driving the vehicle, this would be a vehicular homicide,” Crapo said. “This would be a whole different situation. The fact that he is who he is and his position. As of right now, it’s a slap on the wrist for lying.” In a statement, the Dallas Police Association said it respects the legal outcome and emphasized that Castro no longer has any ties to the organization or the Dallas Police Department. “The actions or legal issues of any one individual do not define the thousands of officers who continue to put on the uniform and protect the people of Dallas,” the statement said. Castro’s attorney said he had no additional comment following the guilty plea. Valles has not responded to requests for comment. Washington’s family says their fight is not over. They are continuing to pursue a civil lawsuit against Castro and Valles in hopes of learning more about what happened the night Washington was killed. Crapo said the loss is something her family will live with for the rest of their lives, but they remain determined to seek accountability. ...read more read less