WASHINGTON, D.C. – Detectives from the D.C. Metro Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit are currently investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred near the White House. The incident, which took place on Saturday at approximately 10:16 PM, involved a single vehicle that collided with a White House grounds security checkpoint barrier.
The vehicle was traveling westbound on the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, when it ran red lights at the intersections of 14th Street and 15th Street. It continued at a high rate of speed until it struck the barrier at the intersection of 15th Street and E Street, NW. The impact severely injured the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased has been identified as 57-year-old James Chester Lewis Jr. from Matthews, NC. The D.C. Metro Police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to this tragic crash.