Fiery DC Crash Kills 1, Hyattsville Man Charged With Negligent Homicide

WASHINGTON, DC — A Hyattsville driver has been charged with negligent homicide for a fatal car crash in Northeast Washington Aug. 5.

At about 3:15 a.m., officers were called to the 600 block of Florida Ave., NE., for the report of a car crash.

Investigation revealed that Lavonne Beckett, 39, was driving an Acura at a high rate of speed with no lights, police said.

Beckett allegedly lost control of the car and mounted the northwest curb at the intersection of 6th and Florida Avenue, NE. Beckett struck a pole and a parked vehicle before coming to rest on the HESS gas station lot.

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A witness pulled Beckett from the vehicle, but his passenger remained trapped inside, police said. The passenger was pronounced dead on the scene. The release of the decedent’s identity is pending notification of next of kin, police said.

The Washington Post reports that the crash caused a fiery blaze, and officials were forced to disconnect fuel of nearby gas pumps.

The case is currently under investigation by the Major Crash Investigations Unit. Anyone with information regarding this case should call 202-727-9099.

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