A woman waiting for a bus was killed early Monday when a white Audi Q7 veered into a Northeast D.C. park, smashing through a fence and bench before the driver abandoned the SUV and ran. Two days later, police were still searching for the person who left behind a deadly scene and few answers.
According to WJLA, 45-year-old Shana Battle was struck at a park near Franklin Street and Bladensburg Road shortly before 1 a.m. Monday. Investigators say the Audi had been traveling along South Dakota Avenue before driving into the park, where Battle was waiting for the bus home.
Family Left Staring At A Crumpled Park
Battle’s relatives told the station that the crash destroyed an iron fence and bench, leaving visible reminders of the impact at the corner. Her cousin Cedric Battle described Shana as kind and exceptional, while also saying the family was struggling to understand how she was killed.
The fatal crash is the latest in a string of deadly hit-and-runs reported around the District this month. Hoodline reported that a 5-year-old boy died after being struck by a speeding driver in Southeast D.C. on July 24, while WTOP reported a separate fatal pedestrian hit-and-run on I-295 earlier in July.
Police Ask For Tips On White Audi
Police say the driver in Battle’s death left the Audi at the scene and fled on foot. As of Wednesday, no suspect had been publicly identified, and investigators were asking anyone with information to call the Metropolitan Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 202-727-9099 or text 50411, according to the WJLA report.
D.C. law requires a driver who knows or has reason to believe they were involved in a collision to stop, call 911 when someone is injured, remain at the scene until police arrive and provide identifying information. The D.C. Law Library says leaving after a collision involving an injured person can carry a fine and up to 180 days in jail for a first offense, though any eventual charges in Battle’s case would depend on the investigation.
For Battle’s family, the unanswered questions have made the loss even harder. Cedric told WJLA, “I can’t wrap my head around it,” as investigators continued looking for the driver who turned a Northeast park into a fatal crash scene.
