WASHINGTON, D.C. — A man was killed early Saturday morning in a crash involving an on-duty Metropolitan Police Department commander in Northwest D.C., prompting an investigation by the department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit.
The collision occurred at approximately 4:18 a.m. in the 1200 block of Columbia Road, Northwest, when an unmarked 2017 Ford Explorer MPD cruiser, traveling westbound with a green light, entered the intersection at 13th Street. At the same time, a 2023 Yamaha XT250 motorcycle, traveling northbound at a high rate of speed, entered the intersection against a red light and struck the driver’s side of the cruiser.
The impact ejected the motorcycle operator, who was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency responders were unable to revive him. The MPD commander driving the cruiser was uninjured and immediately called for assistance. Detectives are working to identify the deceased motorcyclist.
The MPD member, who was not responding to a call and did not have the vehicle’s emergency lights activated at the time, has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy. The incident was not recorded on body-worn camera, as the commander was operating an unmarked vehicle.
The crash is being investigated by the Major Crash Investigations Unit and Internal Affairs Division, and police are asking anyone with information to contact them at (202) 727-9099 or via text at 50411.