Dc man identified in fatal crash after theft call in fort washington, police say
Yellow law enforcement tape isolating crime scene. Blurred view of city, toned in red and blue police car lights

DC Man Identified in Fatal Crash After Theft Call in Fort Washington, Police Say

Posted by
1 min read
May 2, 2026

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.

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

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.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version