Two dead, another injured after car crashes, catches on fire in Southeast DC

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — DC Fire and EMS said two people died Tuesday after they led police on a car chase that started in Maryland and ended in Southeast D.C. when they crashed into a tree. Another person was hurt as well.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACPD) police chief said around 12:15 p.m. officers spotted a white BMW in Annapolis, Md. that matched the description of a car that was involved in multiple robberies around Maryland and D.C.

The police chief said the car then took off and crossed into Prince George’s County, Md. where U.S. Park Police (USPP) picked up the pursuit.

The chase ended when the car hit a tree along Southern Avenue and 41st St. in Southeast D.C. Two people died at the scene and a third person was taken to the hospital.

Crews said during the crash, two cars caught on fire and they had to put it out and rescue people who had gotten trapped.

DC News Now spoke with a witness who did not want to be named. That witness said the white BMW sped passed them while they were walking to the convivence store.

“I probably seen two or three dents off the car already,” the witness said. “Somebody was under the car on fire, dead at the scene. Then somebody else in the middle of the street, alive and on fire.”

The witness said they saw two cars catch on fire and one car had split in half.

The Metropolitan Police Department, USPP and AACPD were all at the scene of the crash investigating.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.