WASHINGTON, D.C. – A high-speed federal police chase ended dramatically in Petworth late Friday night after a vehicle struck a speed bump and flipped over on Webster Street NW, between 2nd Street NW and Rock Creek Church Road NW.
The incident, which unfolded around 10:30 p.m., drew a heavy law enforcement presence and rattled residents, many of whom reported hearing helicopters circling overhead.
Chaos on Webster Street
Neighbors described a chaotic scene, with more than a dozen law enforcement vehicles crowding the block. Agents from several federal agencies, including the U.S. Park Police, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), were seen gathered in the middle of the street.
According to witnesses, the vehicle being pursued was believed to be stolen. After hitting the speed bump, it overturned, striking several parked cars before coming to rest.
One witness, who went outside after hearing the noise, said officers were questioning residents about their damaged vehicles. Among the cars hit were two white vans and a red sedan.
The brother of one van’s owner, who happened to be out of the country, was on the scene waiting to file a case report with the U.S. Park Police.
No Fatalities Reported
Despite the intensity of the crash, officials reported that no one was seriously injured. The driver, however, allegedly fled on foot after the crash, leaving behind a passenger who was treated inside a D.C. Fire and EMS vehicle parked nearby.
Authorities have not released the condition of the passenger or provided further details about the suspected driver, who remains at large.
A Quiet Departure
Witnesses noted that the massive law enforcement response wound down with little fanfare. Once the scene was cleared, officers left quietly, with vehicles backing out of the street without sirens.
The lack of transparency left some residents uneasy, unsure about what had prompted the chase or whether suspects would ultimately be caught.
Community Concerns
For many neighbors, the chase raised concerns about the risks such pursuits pose to residents and property.
One resident, reflecting on the damage, shared frustration:
“So instead of one stolen vehicle, we have one totaled vehicle, another damaged, risked the lives of everyone on the street during the chase, deployed all these officers and equipment, and still may not get the suspect. Seems worth it.”
Others worried about the dangers of high-speed pursuits in densely populated residential neighborhoods, where families and pets are often out late at night.
Next Steps
The U.S. Park Police are leading the investigation and working to confirm details about the stolen vehicle, the driver who fled, and the extent of the property damage. Officials have not said whether the case will be linked to broader car theft investigations in the city.
In the meantime, residents whose vehicles were damaged are waiting on case numbers and insurance assessments, with some expressing frustration at the costs they’ll now bear for an incident they had no part in.
Conclusion
Friday’s late-night chase left Petworth residents shaken and raised questions about the balance between law enforcement pursuits and public safety. While no lives were lost, the incident resulted in multiple damaged vehicles, an overturned car, and a driver still on the run.
As federal authorities continue their search, neighbors are left weighing the risks and wondering whether the chase was worth the disruption—and the danger—it brought to their block.
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