POLICE MOURN OFFICER IN GOOD FRIDAY ACCIDENT

A D.C. police officer injured during a Good Friday procession remained in very critical condition yesterday, police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile said.

Officer Wayne Pitt, 57, was taken to Washington Hospital Center where he underwent surgery for internal injuries. police Chief Cathy L. Lanier visited with his family. "We pray for his full recovery," she said on behalf of all police officers.

At 9:15 p.m. Friday, Officer Pitt was in his police car blocking traffic for an Easter procession at Mount Pleasant and Lamont streets Northwest. Accident investigators reported that he saw a motor scooter crossing into the traffic.

He started to step out of the car to stop the scooter but tried to re-enter when he realized the car was still in gear and moving forward.

Officer Pitt was still partly outside the car when it hit the scooter, a parked car and a tree. The scooter rider and two occupants of the parked car were not injured.

Officer Pitt was a police officer in North Carolina for 20 years before joining the Metropolitan Police Department in May 2002.