Two men were killed Saturday in Northeast Washington when a pickup truck struck a bicyclist and then crashed into a fireworks stand, D.C. police said. The bicyclist died after being struck in a crosswalk near the scene at Minnesota and Nannie Helen Burroughs avenues, according to DC Assistant Police Chief Wil Manlapaz. The other man who was killed was working at the fireworks stand when the accident happened at about 5:30 p.m., Manlapaz said. The truck driver and a passenger were taken to hospitals, he said. According to Manlapaz’s account of the incident, the truck was traveling north on Minnesota Avenue when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck the bicyclist. The truck continued, climbing the curb and running into the fireworks stand. It was not immediately clear why the vehicle went out of control. However, some officials said the driver may have suffered a medical emergency. Information on the condition of the driver or passenger was not immediately available. A photo showed the stand was badly damaged in the incident. It showed a fallen canopy once supported by poles that had now fallen or been knocked askew. Containers, presumably holding goods, appeared scattered. However, there was no indication that fireworks had exploded, police said. It was unclear how long the kiosk at the corner of Minnesota Avenue had been operating. The incident on Saturday happened two days before the Fourth of July, when fireworks are part of many people’s celebration and at a time when temporary stands are springing up along many roads to meet the seasonal demand. Some fireworks are legal in the District, according to the DC fire department’s website. They include torches, box fires, fountains and sparklers smaller than 20 inches, the website said. The scene was near the Deanwood neighborhood, southeast of Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, and about a mile south of the border between the District and Prince George’s County. The names of those involved in the incident were not released. The PIO was directed to the scene of the major crash and will set up a media briefing area at Minnesota Ave & Hunt Place NE. Preliminary report of vehicle at fireworks stand with multiple pedestrians struck. Additional information coming soon — DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) July 2, 2022 This story is developing and will be updated.
