Moped rider hit, killed by driver during Northwest DC police chase

A driver being chased by authorities hit and killed a moped rider in Northwest D.C. Saturday, according to police.

It happened on the William Howard Taft Bridge on Connecticut Avenue shortly before 6 p.m.

The bridge was closed off by law enforcement as of around 6 p.m. Saturday, and a News4 crew saw U.S. Park Police vehicles, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and D.C. police officers on scene.

Multiple witnesses told News4 that Park Police were chasing a driver on the bridge. That driver then hit the person on the moped head on, that person ultimately dying from their injuries.

Witnesses said the same car that hit the moped then crashed into another vehicle on the other side of the bridge near the intersection of Kalorama Road and Connecticut Avenue. That’s where police were ultimately able to arrest the three people who were in the car.

“Before I came onto the bridge, there was police and various different cars coming onto the bridge from Calvert and Connecticut. High speed,” said Judith Davis, a witness.

She said she was walking on the bridge a few minutes before the person on the moped was hit. She said she heard a loud sound when the collision occurred.

“It was – debilitating, somewhat debilitating, because I kept saying to myself, ‘This could have been me,’ because I just crossed the other side of the bridge,” Davis said.

Witnesses said they’re still in shock by what happened.

“It’s just sad. It’s very sad,” one witness said. “Prayers. We need to continue to pray.”

“Why the speed? Why so many police cars? Why the chase like that? Why do it when there’s so many pedestrians here?” Davis said.

News4 is still working on learning why this car was being chased in the first place. Attempts to reach U.S. Park Police were unsuccessful, and the Metropolitan Police Department has not yet confirmed which agency was involved in the pursuit. News4 has reported on a series of recent crashes involving Park Police chases that have resulted in injuries or death.

from Local – NBC4 Washington https://ift.tt/63udlIq