Police investigate fatal 4900 Conn. Ave. crash

by Marlene Berlin

How did you learn of the fatal crash by the firehouse on Connecticut Avenue last Friday? I heard about it from my neighbor, Marjorie Rachlin. She called me that morning to tell me something was going on between Nebraska and Ellicott Street. Connecticut Avenue and side streets were blocked off, and Marge told me she was unable to get to Little Red Fox from any direction.

I walked over a few hours later and talked to one of the police officers, who was getting ready to leave the scene, and to John Conner, the owner of the nearby BP Amoco. They told me a young woman on a moped had slammed into the side of a flatbed truck and was killed.

A makeshift memorial at the crash site. (photo by Sally Gresham)

A couple of days later, we learned her name.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Unit is investigating, and it’s asking people with information to call (202) 727-9099.

The crash happened just before 8:30 a.m. last Friday. MPD says the woman on the moped was heading south on Connecticut, and the flatbed driver was making a left turn from the northbound lane of Connecticut onto 36th Street when they collided. Witnesses alerted the nearby firehouse, one telling NBC4 that four firefighters came running out and immediately started attending to the woman.