Detectives from the Major Crash Investigations Unit with the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating after a man was killed in Northeast DC. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to an alley in the 1100 block of 5th Street NW for an unconscious person around 10:05 p.m. on December 22, 2023.

At the scene, authorities found an adult male suffering from trauma. The man passed away at the scene. The investigation reportedly determined that the man had fallen to the ground in the alley. A vehicle entered the alley and unknowingly struck the man who was still on the ground a short time later.

Authorities say the driver in question is cooperating with detectives. The Officer of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries while the manner of death was ruled an accident. DC Police have identified the victim as 34-year-old Samuel Thornton.