Another DC photo speed ticket question

Hi all, I got a photo speed ticket from DC because I was apparently going a whopping 36 mph on a 4 lane street and honestly forgot about it but then I got a collections notice which I didn't think DC could even do for VA residents so now I'm worried about it impacting my credit. I wanted to look it up to confirm the details because I had no clue when it could even have happened recently and so I noticed that the ticket is from April! I only got the first letter within the last month or two so I never had a chance to pay or contest it timely. I really don't want to have to pay almost triple the original cost for what I can only assume is yet another screw up from my horrendous untimely local post office. So I know I can't contest it online anymore but is there any other way to contest it still or would I just have to deal directly with the collection agency and just pay all the late fees anyway? Damn these predatory cameras, I swear they never seem to get the cars that are drag racing through neighborhoods!