A tragic accident unfolded on the Arlington Memorial Bridge yesterday, where a driver lost their life after their pickup truck crashed into another vehicle and then into the frigid Potomac River. As reported by NBC Washington, the crash occurred around 7 p.m., causing the driver to lose control and veer across all lanes before hitting the bridge's stone railings and plunging into the icy waters below.
Witnesses attempted to help as D.C. Fire and EMS, along with divers and first responders from various jurisdictions, responded rapidly to the scene. Despite their efforts and "advanced life support" being administered on the shore, the driver suffered critical injuries and ultimately died, a confirmation from U.S. Park Police relayed by NBC Washington stated. Two individuals in another vehicle involved in the crash were treated for minor injuries, while, no other injuries to the responders or additional victims were found according to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly.
The Arlington Memorial Bridge was shut down for hours as traffic was diverted, with Metropolitan Police Department's Harbor Unit assisting at the scene. Phil Salesses, a driver who crossed the bridge shortly after the accident, caught video footage of the aftermath showing damaged beams and railings. WUSA9 has confirmed that no other vehicles went over the bridge besides the submerged truck. The bridge reopened to traffic around 1 a.m. today, as per U.S. Park Police.
The identity of the driver and the precise cause of this fatal incident remain under investigation. An eyewitness described the harrowing sequence of events where the pickup struck another car before heading into oncoming traffic and off the bridge. Nigisti Adane, another witness, provided dashcam video to FOX 5, where she estimated the submerged driver was under water for "at least 15 minutes" before the arrival of first responders. "The truck went straight down. I think usually, I assumed that cars would float a little bit, but it looked like it went straight down," Adane remarked.
As the investigation continues, Park Police are tasked with determining the details of the crash and arranging the retrieval of the vehicle from the river.
