WASHINGTON, D.C. — A shocking scene unfolded early Saturday morning in Northeast D.C.’s NoMa neighborhood when a speeding driver barreled down 5th Street, colliding with more than a dozen parked vehicles — and then circled back to do it again.
Exclusive surveillance footage obtained by 7News reveals the chaotic moments as the car zigzagged through the street near the Trader Joe’s on 5th Street, crashing into vehicle after vehicle in rapid succession. Residents say the block was left looking like a demolition zone.
A Loud Crash and a Trail of Destruction
The video footage captures the exact moment the incident began. Loud screeching tires precede a massive collision, as the driver, reportedly doing donuts moments earlier, lost control and smashed into multiple cars.
Witness Siddiq Melville, who was on the scene, said he assisted the dazed driver out of the wrecked car.
“He was just mad,” Melville told 7News. “He was like, ‘I want my car.’ He was out of it.”
7News counted at least 12 to 15 vehicles that were either seriously damaged or totaled. Crumpled bumpers, shattered glass, and debris lined the street.
A Recurring Nightmare for Residents
For residents like Patrice Matthews and Ozell Cooper, the event was not an isolated one — it’s part of a larger, ongoing issue tied to unsafe traffic patterns.
“Our streets are so narrow. Cars get hit every day,” said Matthews. “I’m tired of calling the insurance company. They fix it, and it just gets hit again.”
The problem, they say, stems from a change made four years ago, when 6th Street was converted into a one-way, redirecting more traffic — including large trucks — onto 5th Street. Now, the two-way road struggles to accommodate high volumes and oversized vehicles.
“Dump trucks don’t fit,” Matthews added. “We get everything coming down this road.”
Many residents shared stories of having their cars hit four or five times, so often they’ve stopped making repairs due to the overwhelming financial and emotional toll.
Calls for Change Go Unanswered
Frustrated by the repeated incidents, neighbors have contacted local officials, including Councilman Charles Allen, seeking solutions such as converting 5th Street to a one-way or reverting 6th Street back to its former two-way status.
Ozell Cooper, whose car was struck in Saturday’s crash, said he reached out to Allen’s office but felt the response lacked urgency.
“They asked, ‘Didn’t I submit an insurance claim?’” Cooper recalled. “That doesn’t solve the problem. The issue is the traffic pattern. We’re the ones suffering.”
Cooper described the moment his car was hit:
“My car was here, and the impact knocked it back that way.”
The debris left in the aftermath serves as a stark reminder of the danger residents face simply by parking their cars in front of their homes.
City Yet to Respond
7News reached out to Councilman Charles Allen’s office, asking about ongoing traffic reviews and possible safety improvements for the area. As of this publication, no response has been received.
A Plea for Action
As the community recovers from yet another damaging crash, residents are pleading for long-overdue traffic reforms and infrastructure updates to make their streets safer.
“This can’t keep happening,” said one neighbor. “Next time, it might not just be cars — it could be someone walking down the street.”
For now, residents remain on edge, knowing that without immediate action, the next incident could be just around the corner.
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