WASHINGTON, D.C. — Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a single-vehicle fatal motorcycle crash that occurred along Suitland Parkway in Southeast Washington.
Seventh District officers were called to the intersection of Suitland Parkway and Stanton Road, Southeast, at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, following reports of a motorcycle collision. Responding officers located the motorcycle at the scene, but the operator could not be immediately found in the area.
Officers continued their search during daylight hours on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and located the operator unconscious and not breathing. Personnel from D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the location and pronounced the individual deceased at the scene after finding no signs of life.
A preliminary inquiry by the Major Crash Investigations Unit indicated that the motorcycle operator was traveling at an accelerated speed when they lost control and struck a guardrail, resulting in the rider being ejected. The motorcycle continued unoccupied until coming to rest in a ditch along the 2600 block of Pomeroy Road, Southeast.
Authorities identified the deceased as 18-year-old Francisco Benavides, of Southeast, D.C. The crash remains under active investigation by department investigators, and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact police at (202) 727-9099 or submit a tip by text message to 50411.
The Washington Herald
editorial@thewashingtonherald.com
Washington, D.C.
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