Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Fallen Tree Snarls Rush Hour On The GWMP

A large tree fell across the George Washington Memorial Parkway at the height of morning rush hour.

On Tuesday November 24, 2009, shortly before 7:00 am, the tree fell across the northbound lanes near Turkey Run. This tree fell on six cars. Fortunately, no one in the cars was injured.

This snarled traffic for about two and one half hours while the National Park Service tree crews sawed and chipped the tree. All traffic was diverted onto Rt. 123 at McLean.

Apparently saturated ground from recent rains loosened the tree.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Family Seeking Closure In Theft Of Loved One's Remains


A bronze cremation urn containing the remains of a decorated US Army veteran was stolen from a parked car in the 300 block of Jefferson Drive SW Washington, DC on November 12, 2009. This theft occurred between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Initially the theft was reported to the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department; however this incident occurred on jurisdiction of the United States Park Police.

The stolen urn is 8.5” X 5.5” X 5.5” in size, manufactured in bronze, with a cross on the lower right front.

United States Park Police Detectives are making the recovery of this urn and contents a priority to assist the family with the mourning process and crime victimization.

While closure of all criminal incidents is paramount, we understand that simply recovering this item is more important.

A reward is offered to anyone with information about this theft or information about the whereabouts of the urn and contents.

Should anyone possess this urn and desire to help close this unfortunate tragedy for this family and wishes to remain anonymous, he or she is asked to contact their local police department and describe where we may find the urn.

Please contact the United States Park Police Crime Tip line at (202) 610-8737 with any information.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Pedestrian Struck on National Mall Dies

One person is dead after being struck by a car on the National Mall.

Richard Greenstein and his wife Rhonda Ratner were crossing Madison Drive at 12th Street in the National Mall on Sunday November 15, 2009 at about 12:00 pm. Both were in the marked crosswalk. A vehicle backing up on Madison Drive struck both of these pedestrians. Both Richard Greenstein and Rhoda Ratner were injured after being struck and were transported to George Washington University Hospital.

Rhonda Ratner was treated and released with minor injuries.

Richard Greenstein was admitted to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries on Monday November 16, 2009. Mr. Greenstein is a 76 year old male from Northwest Washington, DC.

United States Park Police Crash Reconstructionists and Detectives are investigating this incident.

The driver of the striking vehicle remained on the scene for the investigation.

The driver’s name is not being released at this time pending consultation with the United States Attorney’s Office.

The cause of death will be determined after examination by the Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia.

Anyone who witnessed this crash is requested to contact United States Park Police Detective Freeman at (202) 610-8760.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Unusual Crash Near Arlington Cemetary

A taxi driving on Memorial Avenue near Arlington National Cemetary lost control on wet pavement, jumped a curb, crossed a sidewalk and struck the concrete rail of the bridge that takes Memorial Avenue over the southbound George Washington Parkway.

When the taxi struck the railing, it knocked out about ten of the concrete vertical posts and pushed them off the bridge. These heavy concrete pieces crashed to the Parkway below; fortunately they did not strike any cars. This is a drop of about twenty five feet.

The concrete railing remained intact, however it was not secure enough to allow traffic to flow below.

Traffic has been diverted on the southbound George Washington Parkway to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge until National Park Service personnel can stabilize this heavy concrete rail.

Besides the rail damage and damage to the taxi, one vehicle below struck a large piece and sustained undercarriage damage.

No one was hurt.

Pedestrian Fatality Suitland Parkway

One pedestrian is dead after being struck by two vehicles in the intersection of Suitland Parkway at Naylor Road in Temple Hills, Maryland.

On November 11, 2009 at about 2:27 am, United States Park Police Officers responded to this crash, and found that two vehicles travelling together struck this pedestrian. The pedestrian was transported to Prince Georges Hospital Center in Cheverly, Maryland with multiple critical injuries. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The striking vehicles are owned and operated by the United States Secret Service. The operators of these vehicles remained on the scene for the investigation.

The decedent has been identified as Larry Donnall Moore from Temple Hills, Maryland.

United States Park Police Crash Reconstructionists and Detectives are investigating this incident. No causative factors have been determined yet.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Park Police Vacancy Announcement Extended

The vacancy announcement for new police officers with the United States Park Police has been extended.

If you think this is the career for you, you now have until Friday November 27, 2009 to apply!!

Click on the title for the link to the announcement.