Local bartender killed by vehicle on I-295 in southeast DC in apparent hit-and-run

WASHINGTON - A local bartender died after being struck and killed by a vehicle Monday morning on Interstate 295 in an apparent hit-and-run.

MPD's Major Crash unit did an initial investigation which revealed that at approximately 3:18 a.m., a silver 2001 Toyota Corolla was parked on the left shoulder with the vehicle’s hazard lights activated for what looked to be mechanical issues on Interstate 295 southbound prior to exit 1B and 1C. 

The owner of the Toyota was standing outside the vehicle and on its passenger side when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. That vehicle left the scene. 

DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and discovered the man was dead. The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Rhyes Patrick-James Harris, of Alexandria, VA.

Harris was a well-known bartender who worked at Blue Jacket in Navy Yard. FOX 5 learned he was coming home from work when he had car trouble. While waiting for roadside assistance, a driver struck Harris and kept going.

Harris' family spoke to FOX 5, who says his passing happened just weeks before his birthday and before a vacation to Turkey with his wife.

"Everybody loved him," said Patricia Harris, Rhys' mother. "Somebody took his life." 

The striking vehicle has been described as possibly being a 1999 to 2003 Ford Windstar minivan, however the color is unknown. The vehicle may have a broken windshield and a missing driver’s side headlamp. Photos of a similar model vehicle, not the actual vehicle, can be seen in the Tweet below: 

Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should call police at (202) 727-9099 or text MPD's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.