Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department's Major Crash Investigations Unit are investigating a traffic fatality resulting from a traffic crash that occurred on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in the 3600 block of New York Avenue, Northeast. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 11:10 pm, the operator of a Hyundai Sonata was travelling westbound in the far left lane at the listed location. At this time, the operator of a commercial vehicle box truck was also travelling westbound in the center lane of travel. The operator of the Hyundai Sonata then changed lanes, striking the commercial vehicle box truck, resulting in the truck overturning onto its passenger side. 

DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported both operators to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. After finding no signs consistent with life, the front seat passenger of the commercial box truck remained on scene until being transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. 

The decedent has been identified as 42-year-old Jose Sotelo, of East Elmhurst, NY. 

Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should call police at (202) 727-9099or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.