Family of DC Man Killed in I-695 Hit-and-Run Had Recently Lost Toddler to Gun Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A grieving D.C. family is coping with unimaginable tragedy after losing two loved ones just weeks apart — first a toddler to gun violence, and now a longtime resident in a deadly hit-and-run crash.

The Deadly Crash

On the night of August 2, Lee Clark, 58, was struck and killed by a speeding car while walking near the northbound I-295 ramp off I-695, close to the Anacostia pedestrian bridge.

Investigators said Clark was hit by a 2025 blue Toyota Camry. After the crash, the people inside the car reportedly got out and fled the scene on foot. Clark died instantly from the impact, according to family members.

Blooming Grove police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department are now working to identify the suspects.

A Beloved Family Man

Clark was a former security officer who had lived in Washington, D.C., for most of his life. His family described him as someone who loved fishing, sports, and spending time with loved ones.

His uncle, Raymond Cheadle Jr., shared that he had spoken with Clark just minutes before his death.

“I didn’t know that was gonna be the last time I talked to him, so I said, ‘OK, I’ll catch up with you later on,’” Cheadle recalled.

Days later, when his calls went unanswered, Cheadle learned the devastating truth.

“I didn’t even know he was dead,” he said.

Cheadle added that the violent nature of the crash left the family unable to hold an open-casket service.

“This one here is going to be a closed casket, period. He’s in pieces,” he said.

A Family Already in Mourning

The fatal crash compounds the grief of a family already suffering. Less than a month earlier, 3-year-old Honesty Cheadle, a relative of Clark, was killed when someone opened fire into her family’s car shortly after they had watched Fourth of July fireworks in Southeast D.C.

The toddler’s death shocked the community and highlighted ongoing concerns about gun violence in the nation’s capital. For Clark’s family, the pain of losing another loved one so soon has been unbearable.

“It’s like death is all around me and I’m, like, struggling to live with a lot of stuff,” Cheadle said.

Call for Justice

Family members are pleading with the public to come forward with any information that could help police track down those responsible for the fatal hit-and-run.

“Something has got to be done about this. It’s a tragedy and people need to be held accountable,” Cheadle urged.

Police are asking anyone with knowledge of the crash or the suspects to contact investigators.

Conclusion

The Clark and Cheadle families are now facing two heartbreaking losses in the span of just one month — a reminder of how both reckless driving and gun violence continue to devastate communities in Washington, D.C.

As the investigation continues, loved ones hope for answers and accountability in the death of Lee Clark, while continuing to mourn the life of Honesty Cheadle, a child whose future was cut tragically short.