Police said the motorcyclist was the only one involved in the crash.
WASHINGTON — The Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash detectives are working to learn what led up to a crash that left a motorcyclist dead Sunday afternoon. Investigators are asking anyone who knows anything to contact them.
The crash was first reported just before 3:30 p.m. on Suitland Parkway near Sheridan Road Southeast. Once officers got there, they found the motorcyclist, so far only identified as a man, unconscious and not breathing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say the motorcycle driver was the only person involved in the crash. While the investigation continues, detectives urge anyone with info to call DC Police at 202-727-9099 or text the department’s tip line at 50411.
Additional details have not been made public.
Motorcycle safety by the numbers:
According to the District’s Highway Safety Office’s most recent statistics, between 2016 and 2020, 27 motorcycle fatalities in the District represented 18.2% of all traffic fatalities (148). During the same time, 440 motorcycle injuries represented about 3.3% of all injuries (13,443). An average of 47.6% of all motorcycle crashes resulted in an injury.
The latest nationwide data from U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, shows that in 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities and an increase of 1.3% compared to 2022.
The fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2023 was nearly 28 times that of passenger car occupants, the NHTSA says.
For more information on motorcycle safety in the District, click here.
