WASHINGTON – Two men were killed and a teenager critically injured after the driver of a minivan being pursued by police lost control and rolled the minivan several times, including over the top of a police cruiser.
D.C. Police say the crash happened around 3:30 a.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Taylor Street NE. Police were chasing the minivan after investigating reports of gunshots in the 700 block of Otis Place NW.
A man flagged police down at the corner of Georgia and New Hampshire avenues and said he was just shot by suspects in a burgundy-colored Plymouth minivan with Virginia tags.
Another police cruiser saw the minivan a short time later speeding in the 300 block of Upshur Street NW, driving through several stop signs.
In an initial investigation, police believe the driver of the minivan was going an estimated 70 to 80 mph when he lost control while cresting the hill on Taylor Street. The minivan struck a tree and flipped over before rolling over the hood of a third police cruiser that was responding to the scene for support.
Three people in the minivan were ejected. Two men were pronounced dead on the scene. A 17-year-old male was taken to a hospital with critical injuries.
Two police officers in the car that was struck by the minivan were injured, but they are believed to have non life-threatening injuries.
The identities of those involved have not been released.
Police say evidence has been collected that connects the minivan with a shooting. Police have not been able to find the man who flagged them down to report the initial shooting.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099
WTOP’s Kathy Stewart contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.
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