The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Investigations Unit (MCIU) is investigating a single vehicle traffic fatality in Southeast.

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, at approximately 10:40 p.m., Seventh District officers responded to Suitland Parkway and Stanton Road, Southeast, for the report of a single-vehicle motorcycle crash. Officers responded to the location and located the motorcycle, but not the operator. 

On Sunday, October 18, 2026, MPD officers continued searching during the daylight hours. They located the operator, who was unconscious and not breathing, suffering from injuries sustained in the crash. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and after finding no signs consistent with life, the operator was pronounced dead on the scene.

The preliminary investigation determined that the motorcycle operator was traveling at an accelerated speed when they lost control and struck a guardrail, causing them to be ejected from the motorcycle. The motorcycle continued, unoccupied, until coming to a stop in a ditch along the 2600 block of Pomeroy Road, Southeast.

The decedent has been identified as 18-year-old Francisco Benavides, of Southeast, D.C. 

This crash remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should call the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.

CCN: 26149232