Woman Killed in DC Hit-and-Run

WASHINGTON (AP) - Police in Washington are investigating a hit-and-run accident that killed a pedestrian.

It's hard to believe it could happen right on the National Mall. But a woman was struck by a car and killed early Saturday, and the driver is nowhere to be found.

Police say the woman was hit at the corner of 14th and Constitution, around 6 o'clock Saturday morning.

The woman was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police say the woman is an Asian or white female in her late 30s or early 40s.

She was wearing a multi-colored top with black spandex pants, Asics running shoes and had a CD Walkman.

Joggers on the mall were shocked, but say they often see drivers run red lights or turn street corners where they shouldn't. Some of the runners say they wear reflective gear and keep the volume on their music on low.

FROM DC POLICE:

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit are investigating a hit-and-run pedestrian fatality which occurred at the intersection of 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW on the morning of Saturday, March 6, 2010. They are also seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the victim and providing additionally information regarding the crash.

On Saturday, March 6, 2010, at about 6:00 am, an unidentified adult female pedestrian was struck by an unknown motor vehicle. The victim was transported by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department personnel to the George Washington University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 6:57 am.

The victim is described as an Asian or white female, possibly in her mid thirties to early forties with dark hair, wearing a multi-colored top, black Spandex pants, Asics running shoes, several yellow metal bracelets, and a Sony CD Walkman.

Footage from a surveillance camera in the area reveal the striking vehicle to be a white colored tractor with a conventional cab with a rear window and an air deflector attached to a flatbed containing a scissor lift and a rectangular crate, license tags unknown. It was traveling northbound on 14th Street, NW when it struck the pedestrian. Investigators believe the vehicle operator may be unaware that he struck someone.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM [E] (1-888- 919-2746).

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to Crime Solvers leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.