WASHINGTON, D.C.— At least two people were killed Saturday when a car careened into a fireworks stand in the northeast of the city. Police say they believe the driver of the vehicle had suffered a medical emergency, though they stressed that the “major crash” was still under investigation.
Assistant Metro D.C. Police Chief Wilfredo Manlapaz told reporters at an evening press conference that both victims were adult males.
He said the fatal crash transpired after a truck ran a red light and “struck a bicyclist in the crosswalk” before careening into the fireworks stand.
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“At this point, preliminarily, we believe the driver was suffering from some type of medical emergency, but we’re still investigating the incident,” Manlapaz said.
Both the bicyclist and worker at the fireworks stand were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names were not immediately released.
The crash caused panic in the area on Fourth of July weekend, with ambulances and fire trucks swarming the area. Investigators could be seen combing the crash scene on Saturday evening, as one of the fireworks was heard exploding near the demolished fireworks stand.
