Nine people were transported to the hospital after a crash involving two vehicles near Union Station on Wednesday morning in which three pedestrians were struck.
The crash occurred around 7:55 a.m. at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and North Capitol Street NW and involved a black Ford Explorer and a van. Fire department spokesman Tim Wilson said nine people were transported to the hospital, while police department spokeswoman Saray Leon said five suffered injuries, including one who had life-threatening injuries.
One woman, who was in critical condition, was pinned under the van, Mr. Wilson said. No information was immediately available on the nature of the other injuries.
Police were investigating the details of the crash, and news reports quoted eyewitnesses who said the SUV appeared to be speeding to beat a traffic light. The traffic light was knocked over and could be seen laying on top of the SUV.
The crash occurred near Union Station, a busy transit center near the U.S. Capitol that serves as a gateway to the city for thousands of tourists and commuters each day.
Massachusetts Avenue between Union Station and North Capitol Street reopened after being closed due to the accident, police said. Before that, streets from F Street to H Street were blocked for several hours, and westbound Massachusetts Avenue traffic was being allowed to flow into Columbus Circle and then diverted south onto First Street, Delaware Avenue NE, Louisiana Avenue NE and E St. NE.
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