A man riding a motorcycle was killed Sunday afternoon on Suitland Parkway near Sheridan Road after officers found him unconscious and not breathing on the roadway, police said. Responding officers pronounced him dead at the scene, and authorities say the crash involved only the motorcycle’s operator. The collision was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m., and Metropolitan Police Major Crash detectives have opened an investigation into what happened.
According to WUSA9, the rider has been identified only as a man and was discovered unresponsive on the roadway, with emergency personnel pronouncing him dead at the scene. Investigators are working to determine what led to the crash and are asking anyone who saw the incident or its aftermath to come forward.
How to contact investigators
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, anyone with information related to the crash is asked to call the department’s tip line at (202) 727-9099 or text the anonymous tip number 50411. The MPD notes that the text line accepts photos and video and is monitored around the clock.
Motorcycle safety, locally and nationally
NHTSA data show motorcyclist deaths continue to make up a disproportionate share of road fatalities. In 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed nationwide, accounting for roughly 15% of all traffic deaths, and the motorcyclist fatality rate per mile traveled was nearly 28 times that of passenger car occupants. Those national figures highlight just how vulnerable riders are in busy traffic corridors.
Local trends
The District Highway Safety Office previously reported 27 motorcycle fatalities in the District between 2016 and 2020, along with about 440 motorcycle injuries during that same period, figures cited by WUSA9. Motorcycle injuries accounted for a relatively small share of total reported traffic injuries in those years.
Major Crash detectives continue to investigate Sunday’s fatal incident. Anyone with dash-cam video, cellphone footage or other information is urged to contact police at (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.
