WASHINGTON _ A man was killed in a high-speed, multi-vehicle crash in downtown Washington on Tuesday evening during rush hour, authorities said, as police investigated whether the incident was connected to an attempted traffic stop.
The collision occurred along 16th Street NW near L Street when a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed struck a pedestrian who was crossing the roadway, according to police and witnesses. The impact threw the man into the air before the vehicle went on to collide with four other cars. Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses said the driver exited the vehicle after the crash and attempted to flee, but was quickly taken into custody by police.
Several witnesses also reported seeing a vehicle matching the description earlier in the evening being pursued by police in the area of 16th and Q streets NW.
Another witness said he later observed the same vehicle traveling southbound on 16th Street near M Street at an estimated speed of about 70 miles per hour, with a police cruiser roughly a block behind using its siren to navigate traffic and catch up.
A Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said officers could not confirm that the crash occurred during a police chase but said Internal Affairs will review whether it was related to an attempted traffic stop.
A review of District traffic records shows a vehicle matching the suspect’s license plate received 13 speeding citations in the past month.
Roads in the area remained closed for several hours while MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit examined the scene.
