At approximately 6:01 am, on Thursday, March 2, 2006, two vehicles were reportedly racing each other at a high rate of speed northbound on New Jersey Avenue, NW.  As the vehicles entered the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and P Street, NW, they both allegedly ran the red light.  Subsequently, one of the vehicles, described as a Chevrolet Impala, struck a Ford 500 SE that was proceeding westbound on P Street, NW.  

The operator of the Ford and his passenger were both hospitalized.  They have been identified as 58-year-old Carl Hunter and his wife, 58-year-old Shirley Hunter, who reside in the 100 block of P Street, NW.  Mr. Hunter was transported to Howard University Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. Mrs. Hunter was transported to the Washington Hospital Center's MedSTAR Unit, where she was admitted in serious condition.

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A subsequent ongoing investigation being conducted by investigators assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department?s Major Crash Investigations Unit led to the arrest of the two individuals who allegedly were racing each other prior to this crash.  The operator of the Chevrolet Impala, which is identified as the reported striking vehicle in this incident, has been identified as 20-year-old Jamaal Andre Richardson, of the 4600 block of Colonel Fenwick Place, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  He has been charged with Aggravated Assault in this crash.  In addition, 26-year-old Kenneth Eugene Willis, of the 2000 block of Savannah Terrace, SE, reportedly was operating the other vehicle involved in the crash, a Chevrolet Caprice.  He has been charged with Reckless Driving.

The circumstances surrounding this crash remain under investigation by members of the Major Crash Investigations Unit.

Update, 3/13/2006:

On Friday, March 10, 2006, Carl Hunter died as a result of his injuries.  He is the 10th traffic fatality of the year in the District of Columbia.