Death Investigation at Swains Lock

On Tuesday, September 23, at 4:09 p.m., United States Park Police units responded to Swains Lock, at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park, for a report of a visitor in cardiac arrest.

The initial investigation revealed a 78 year old male was walking with his wife along the canal towpath, when he collapsed. His wife called 911 and Montgomery County Medics responded and began treatment. He was transported to Suburban Hospital and later pronounced.

The man has been identified as Robert E. Moran, Jr., of Potomac, MD.

Anyone with information about this incident, please call the United States Park Police, Criminal Investigations Branch on (202) 610-8737.

Medical Emergency on Baltimore Washington Parkway

On Monday, September 22, 2008, at approximately 4:09 p.m., the United States Park Police were dispatched to southbound Baltimore-Washington Parkway south of Powder Mill Road for the report of a medical emergency. Arriving units reported Emergency Medical Services on the scene performing CPR on an individual who was subsequently transported to a local hospital by ambulance. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the decedent had been sick for several days. The decedent had stayed home that day and later determined the need go to the hospital. A friend of the decedent was contacted who responded to his residence to take him to the hospital.

While driving southbound on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway south of Powder Mill Road, the friend noticed that the decedent had slumped against the car's passenger door. He had been complaining of not being able to catch his breath. The friend pulled to the roadside and found the decedent unresponsive. The friend contacted 911 who had him begin CPR.

The decedent has been identified as 25 year old Anthony Ray Eldridge, a Lanham, Maryland resident.

Anyone with information about this incident, please call the United States Park Police, Criminal Investigations Branch on (202) 610-8737.

Motorcycle Checkpoint Conducted

On Sunday, September 14th, officers from the United States Park Police District 2 Station, in conjunction with the Virginia State Police and the Arlington County Police, conducted a motorcycle safety checkpoint on the southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in the area of Reagan National Airport. Over 4,000 vehicles passed through this checkpoint, which was conducted between 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. During the course of this enforcement action, 75 motorcyclists were stopped. Of the motorcyclists stopped, eight operators had no driver’s licenses, eight operators had registration violations, seven motorcycles were found to have safety inspection issues, one operator had a revoked permit, one operator was in violation of a learner’s permit, and three motorcycles were impounded. Twenty-six citations were issued as a result of the above findings.

The goal of the checkpoint was to enforce existing laws and educate riders through motorcycle safety tips brochures. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,810 motorcyclists were killed in 2006 – an increase of five percent over the 4,576 motorcyclists killed in 2005. There were 88,000 motorcyclists injured during 2006. Also, per mile traveled in 2006, a motorcyclist is approximately 37 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in a passenger car. Due to the overwhelming success of this enforcement action, it will be repeated in the future.

USPP Road Closures for Nation’s Triathlon

Please review the times and locations of road closures to be initiated by the United States Park Police on Sunday, September 14, 2008 for the Nation’s Triathlon. All closure times are subject to change.



Estimated Closures
Locations

5:00 am - 1:00 pm
Rock Creek Parkway at VA Ave to Ohio Drive

6:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rock Creek Parkway from Connecticut Ave/Calvert St. to VA Ave

5:00 am - 12:00 pm
Independence Ave from 23rd - 14th Street

5:00 am - 1:00 pm
Ohio Drive - West Potomac Park

5:00 am - 1:00 pm
Ohio Drive - East Potomac Park (Haines Point)

6:00 am - 1:00 pm
East Basin Drive

6:00 am - 1:00 pm
Maine Ave from 395 ramp to Independence Ave split

5:00 am - 1:00 pm
Constitution Ave. from 17th to 15th Street

5:00 am - 1:00 pm
15th Street from Constitution Ave to Maine Ave

6:00 am - 1:00 pm
17th Street from Constitution Ave to Independence Ave

6:00 am - 1:00 pm
Madison Drive from 7th - 14th Street

5:00 am - 12:00 pm
Parkway Drive from Rock Creek Parkway to Lincoln Circle

6:00 am - 12:00 pm
Clara Barton Parkway from Glen Echo to Chain Bridge (rt 123)


Please visit the Nation’s Triathlon website at http://www.thenationstriathlon.com/ for more information.

Suspect Pursuit Leads to Arrests

On Tuesday, September 02, 2008, at approximately 10:05 a.m., officers assigned to the Rock Creek Station reported to the area of Grove 24 for a citizen complaint of two suspicious males in the wood line. Upon arrival, officers observed the two individuals and detected an odor of marijuana. The suspects were detained and during a search of the area narcotics were discovered. One suspect fled on foot to his vehicle in the parking lot. A short pursuit ensued with the suspect stopping in the 1400 block of Rock Creek Ford Road. The suspect again fled on foot and was soon captured by assisting officers.

The two suspects were arrested and face charges in the District of Columbia.

Anyone with information about this incident, please call the United States Park Police, Criminal Investigations Branch on (202) 610-8737.