2 women dead, 6 more people injured after driver crashes into outdoor diners in D.C.

Mike Stunson
The Charlotte Observer

WASHINGTON — Eight people were hospitalized, including two women who reportedly have died, when a driver crashed into a group of people dining outdoors in Washington, D.C., on Friday, March 11, authorities say.

The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. Friday in the Chevy Chase area of D.C. A group of diners were sitting in an outdoor area of the Parthenon Restaurant & Chevy Chase Lounge when a driver crashed into them, officials say.

Of the eight people hospitalized, five had life-threatening injuries. WJLA and WRG both later reported two of the female victims with life-threatening injuries had died. Their names have not been disclosed.

The driver was described by D.C. Police Commander Duncan Bedlion as an “elderly male” and the crash is being investigated as an accident. He received medical care at the scene.

Bedlion said the driver “lost control” of his vehicle and was alone.

Officials with the Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS Department called the crash a “mass casualty incident.” Ages of the people injured range from 30 to 80 and they were taken to various hospitals, DC FEMS Chief John Donnelly said.

Three more people were treated and released at the scene, fire officials said.

The restaurant did not sustain any structural damage.

“This is rare...we haven’t had an incident like this in many years,” Donnelly said in a news briefing. “A car hitting a crowd of people is a very serious event...it’s a tragedy that results in a lot of serious injuries.”

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