1 dead after NE DC gas station crash on Florida Avenue

WASHINGTON - A female passenger died after a car crashed into the Hess gas station in northeast D.C. early Saturday morning at around 3:15 a.m., according to officials.

The car was traveling westbound at a high speed without lights before the driver lost control, police say.

Lieutenant Ronald Wilkins said the Acura sedan burst into flames after it mounted the northwest curb, striking a light pole and an unoccupied white car parked at the gas station in the 600 block of Florida Avenue NE.

The driver, 39-year-old Lavonne Beckett of Hyattsville, Maryland, escaped the burning car. He was taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition and charged with negligent homicide.

The female passenger was unable to escape. Officials say she died inside the car.

The Major Crash Investigations Unit is continuing investigation. Anyone with information about the accident should call (202) 727-9099.