Fort Washington, MD — A late-night crash following a reported theft in Prince George’s County left a 28-year-old Washington, D.C., man dead, as investigators confirmed new details about how the incident unfolded. Juan McMillan was identified Friday as the driver who died after his vehicle crashed along Indian Head Highway shortly after police encountered him leaving a store.
The crash happened around 10:05 p.m. Wednesday near Palmer Road, minutes after officers were dispatched to a business on Livingston Road for a theft in progress involving two suspects.
Crash followed encounter outside store
Prince George’s County Police said an officer arrived at the business and saw two men leaving before they sped out of the parking lot. The officer followed behind in an unmarked vehicle to obtain the license plate number but did not activate lights or sirens, and no pursuit was initiated.
Shortly afterward, the suspect vehicle crashed on Indian Head Highway. McMillan, who was driving, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second man in the vehicle, identified only as an adult passenger, was taken to a hospital with injuries that authorities said were not life-threatening.
State investigators decline involvement
The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) was notified due to the circumstances involving police presence. After a preliminary review, the agency declined to take over the investigation, indicating it did not meet the criteria for IID involvement.
Prince George’s County Police continue to investigate both the fatal crash and the reported organized retail theft that preceded it.
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Key Points
• 28-year-old Juan McMillan identified as driver killed in Fort Washington crash
• Crash occurred minutes after police responded to theft call on Livingston Road
• Police say no pursuit occurred; state investigators declined to take case
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Questions remain about sequence of events
While police emphasized that no chase took place, the proximity between the officer’s presence and the crash is likely to be a focus of the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not released details about speed, road conditions, or other potential contributing factors.
The incident also highlights the risks associated with suspects fleeing from crime scenes, even without active police pursuit.
What happens next
The Prince George’s County Police Department continues to investigate the crash and the theft incident. No additional details about potential charges or further findings have been released, and the case remains active.