Pedestrian Fatally Struck

Washington – The United States Park Police is investigating a fatal car crash that occurred around 8:20 p.m. on Maine Avenue Southwest in Washington, D.C.  A vehicle struck a pedestrian in the westbound lanes of Maine Avenue just west of the 14^th Street overpass.  The pedestrian was transported to George Washington Memorial Hospital where they were pronounced dead at approximately 8:40 p.m. 

 The following road closures will remain in effect during the investigation:

  -Westbound Maine Avenue at 12^th Street

            -Westbound I-395 ramp to Maine Avenue
            -Eastbound Maine Avenue SW at East Basin Drive

At this stage of the investigation, the identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Fatal Car Crash

Laurel, Maryland – The United States Park Police is investigating a fatal car crash that occurred northbound on the Baltimore Washington Parkway at the ramp to westbound 198 in Laurel, Maryland.  At about 2 pm the United States Park Police received a call for an overturned vehicle from a contract crew working in that area.  Officers located the vehicle several hundred feet off the parkway down a steep embankment in a heavily wooded area just north of the ramp.  The vehicle was resting on its top and partially submerged in water. 

Marcus Lee Freeman, 26, of Laurel, Maryland was found in the vehicle and later pronounced dead by Anne Arundel County EMS. Laurel Police Department reported Freeman as missing on October 15^th.  

The ramp to westbound 198 was closed for approximately 6 hours during the investigation.  All lanes of travel are open at this time.

Visitor Fatality at Lincoln Memorial

WASHINGTON – A 50-year old woman collapsed after suffering a medical emergency and died while visiting the Lincoln Memorial shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday, October 26.  The woman, whose identity has not been released, struck her head in the course of her fall.  United States Park Police officers administered CPR until medical personnel arrived on site. She was transported to George Washington University Hospital where she was pronounced dead.  A cause of death has not yet been determined. 

Shooting at Fort Washington Marina

WASHINGTON – The United States Park Police is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred shortly after 1 am on Sunday, October 25 in a parking lot outside of Proud Mary’s Restaurant at the Fort Washington Marina in Fort Washington, Maryland. 

Tania Vanessa Lopez, a 36 year old female from Montgomery Village, Maryland, was pronounced dead at the scene.  A 27 year old male was transported to the hospital with critical injuries and is currently in stable condition.

At this stage of the investigation we are pursuing several leads.  Please contact the USPP Tip Line at 202-610-8737 or via email at USPP_Tipline@nps.gov if you have any information regarding this incident – those providing tips may remain completely anonymous.  

Road Closures, Logistics Announced for Marine Corps Marathon

WASHINGTON –The 40^th Annual Marine Corps Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2015 and begin at 7:45 a.m.  Roughly sixty percent of the Marathon is run on National Park Service roads. Road closures and detours will be in effect between the hours of 4 a.m. and 1 p.m.  - Streets will reopen on a rolling basis as the last participant has passed and all course support materials have been removed. - A comprehensive list of all road closures is included below.

Getting There
Runners and spectators are encouraged to use Metro to access the race.  Marathon runners should use the Pentagon Station (blue or yellow line) to access the start line through Runners Village in the Pentagon North Parking lot.  Smithsonian Metro is the closest stop for the MCM 10K. 

Reminders

·         All National Parks prohibit the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.  The entire race route falls within a national flight restricted zone.  This is a No Drone Zone.
·         Always Remember – If You See Something, Say Something. Contact U.S. Park Police at 202-610-7500
·         There is NO PARKING along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Route 110, or Memorial Avenue

Road Closures
4 a.m.–1:30 p.m. -- Madison Drive NW from 7th to 14th Street
4 a.m.–4:30 p.m. -- Marshall Drive from North Meade Street to Route 110
4 a.m.–5:30 p.m. -- North Meade Street from Marshall Drive to Lynn Street
4 a.m.–4:30 p.m. -- Route 110 from I-66 to U.S. Highway 1
4 a.m.–5:30 p.m. -- Wilson Boulevard from North Nash Street to Route 110
4 a.m.–5:30 p.m. -- Lynn Street from North Meade Street to Lee Highway
4 a.m.–5:30 p.m. -- Fort Myer Drive from North Meade Street to Lee Highway
4 a.m.–5:30 p.m. -- North Moore Street from Wilson Boulevard to Lee Highway
4 a.m.–5:30 p.m. -- 19th Street North from Lynn Street to North Nash Street
4 a.m.–3 p.m. -- Route 110 ramp from Washington Boulevard to Route 110
4:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. -- Boundary Channel Drive from Route 110 to Long Bridge Drive
5 a.m.–1:30 p.m. -- Jefferson Drive SW from 3rd Street SW to 15th Street SW
5 a.m.–1:30 p.m. -- 7th Street NW from Madison Drive NW to Jefferson Drive SW
6:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. -- Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW (northbound) to Beach Drive
6:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. -- Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW (southbound) from Shoreham Drive NW
6:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. -- Shoreham Drive NW (southbound) from Calvert Street to Rock Creek Parkway and Potomac Parkway NW 6:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. -- Beach Drive NW from Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW to Calvert Street
7:23 a.m.–9:15 a.m. -- Lee Highway (eastbound) from North Kirkwood Street to Lynn Street
7:30 a.m.–9:25 a.m. -- Spout Run Parkway, from Lee Highway to George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP)
7:30 a.m.–9:40 a.m. -- GWMP from Spout Run to Key Bridge off ramp 1
7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. -- Long Bridge Drive from 12th Street to Boundary Channel Drive
7:33 a.m.–9:40 a.m. -- Francis Scott Key Bridge (all lanes)
7:35 a.m.–1:17 p.m. -- 14th Street SW from Jefferson Drive to northbound HOV lanes
7:35 a.m.–1:45 p.m. -- HOV lanes from 14th Street SW to HOV ramp at South Eads Street
7:40 a.m.–2 p.m. -- South Eads Street from South Rotary Road to Army Navy Drive
7:45 a.m.–2:30 p.m. -- Army Navy Drive from South Eads to 12th Street South
7:47 a.m.–10:36 a.m. -- M Street NW from Canal Road NW to Wisconsin Avenue NW
7:48 a.m.–10:40 a.m. -- Wisconsin Avenue from M Street NW to K Street NW
7:49 a.m.–10:45 a.m. -- K Street NW from Wisconsin Avenue NW to Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW
7:49 a.m.–10:45 a.m. -- 27th Street NW from K Street NW to I Street NW
7:49 a.m.–10:45 a.m. -- I Street NW from 27th Street NW to Virginia Ave NW
7:50 a.m.–11:04 a.m. -- Rock Creek Parkway and Potomac Parkway NW from Beach and Shoreham Drives to Independence Avenue
7:52 a.m.–11:05 p.m. -- Lincoln Circle from 23rd Street NW to 23rd Street SW
7:53 a.m.–12 p.m. -- Ohio Drive SW at West Potomac Park from Independence Avenue SW around East Potomac Park to Maine Avenue SW
8 a.m.–10 a.m. -- 15th Street South from Crystal Drive to Eads Street
8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. -- 12th Street from Army Navy Drive to Crystal Drive
8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. -- Crystal Drive from 12th Street to 23rd Street 8:02 a.m.–12:10 p.m. -- Maine Avenue SW from East Basin Drive to Independence Avenue SW
8:03 a.m.–12:25 p.m. -- East Basin Drive from Maine Avenue to Ohio Drive
8:06 a.m.–12:28 p.m. -- Independence Avenue SW from Maine Avenue SW to Ohio Drive
8:13 a.m.–12:35 p.m. -- 15th Street NW/SW from Constitution Avenue NW to Maine Avenue SW
8:15 a.m.–12:55 p.m. -- 3rd Street; Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Maryland Avenue SW
8:15 a.m.–12:55 p.m. -- 4th Street; Constitution Avenue NW to Independence SW
8:16 a.m.–12:50 p.m. -- Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 3rd Street NW to East Capitol Circle
8:16 a.m.–12:50 p.m. -- 1st Street; Pennsylvania NW to Maryland Avenue SW 2 MCM road closures continued
8:16 a.m.–12:50 p.m. -- Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 3rd Street NW to 1st Street NW
8:17 a.m.–12:52 p.m. -- Maryland Avenue SW from 1st Street SW to 3rd Street SW

Additional Information
For more about the Marine Corps Marathon visit www.marinemarathon.com

 

D.C. Resident Cited for Illegal Drone Operation Near Washington Monument
      

WASHINGTON – At 1:20 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9 the United States Park Police and United States Secret Service responded to an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone, spotted flying in the vicinity of the Washington Monument. Flying any kind of UAS or drone anywhere in Washington, D.C. or in national parks is illegal.

Officers from both agencies made contact with the operator after the individual lost control of the drone and it landed on the Ellipse. The United State Park Police issued Howard Solomon III, from Washington, D.C., a citation and confiscated the drone and other equipment used to operate it.

United States Secret Service located the F182 6 Axis Quadcopter on the Ellipse, just inside the entrance at 16th St. and Constitution Ave. and turned it over to the United States Park Police.

Federal law prohibits flying all unmanned aircraft, more commonly called drones, in the heavily regulated Flight Restricted Zone around Washington, D.C., including from private property inside the FRZ. Additionally, launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircrafts is prohibited in all areas administered by the National Park Service. Know Before You Fly! To learn more visit https://www.faa.gov/uas/no_drone_zone/dc/.

This is the ninth incident involving illegal operation of an unmanned aircraft system in a Greater Washington area national park in 2015, and the 26^th since 2013.

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About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 408 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

About the United States Park Police: USPP supports the mission of the National Park Service by providing law enforcement to safeguard lives, protect national treasures and symbols of democracy, and preserve the natural and cultural resources entrusted to the care of the National Park Service. USPP officers are located in the Washington, New York, and San Francisco metropolitan areas. The force was created by President George Washington in 1791.

 

News Release - SWAT School

Temporary Closure of Billy Goat Trail Scheduled Oct 14 for Law Enforcement Training Exercise

WASHINGTON –The United States Park Police will be conducting exercises as part of their Basic SWAT School on Oct. 14 along the Billy Goat Trail at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park. The Billy Goat Trail will be closed from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the training exercise. The closed section will be from the Angler’s Inn trail head to the emergency exit trail intersection. Billy Goat-A trail from the Great Falls trail head to the emergency exit trail will remain open to visitors.  Officers will be posted at trailheads and along the trail for public safety and to alert visitors.

The United States Park Police’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) has been in existence since 1975. This highly trained team is proficient with a variety of weapons including the submachine gun, assault rifle, sniper rifle, and less lethal weaponry. The SWAT Unit conducts high-risk search warrants for the USPP Narcotics and Vice Unit, as well as for allied Federal, State, and local agencies.
SWAT conducts basic SWAT schools, which are routinely attended by officers from outside departments. The physically and mentally challenging course is designed to take police officers and train them to handle high-risk situations working in a team environment.