COLLEGE PARK, Md. — A man was struck and killed by a hit and run driver on the Inner Loop of I-495 early Saturday morning, causing heavy traffic delays. Maryland State Police blocked all Eastbound lanes of the Beltway for the investigation.
Shortly before 5:30 a.m., a witness called 911 to report what appeared to be a body in an area between the Inner Loop and the ramp for Northbound I-95, Maryland State Police said. Responding troopers went to the scene where they found an unidentified man at the scene. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel.
Traffic was at standstill on the Inner Loop of I-495 at the exit for Northbound I-95 (Exit 27) while MSP crash reconstruction investigators processed the scene, officials said. Police were able to reopen all lanes of the Inner Loop shortly before 11 a.m.
According to a release from MSP, the victim was struck while on foot by a vehicle that fled the scene. Debris found in the area suggests the striking vehicle may have been silver. Authorities said they believe the model of the car is a 2017 / 2018 Nissan Altima
The release also states the vehicle they're searching for may belong to the victim, since they did not find any sign of a suspect vehicle or a vehicle that may have been driven by the victim prior to the incident.
According to a tweet from MSP, debris found at the scene indicates the man may have been hit by a silver vehicle. Police say there is no further description available of the suspect vehicle.
Police have not made a positive identification of the victim, who is described as an African American man, officials said.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who may have information about the victim or the striking vehicle, is asked to contact Maryland State Police at the College Park Barracks immediately at 301-345-3101. Callers may remain anonymous.
Earlier last week, a man was fatally struck by a driver in White Oak, the fifth pedestrian fatality in Montgomery County since the start of the year.
Police said the man was attempting to cross westbound on New Hampshire Avenue when a 2019 Ford Transit 250 struck him. He died of his injuries at the scene, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer said.
The driver of the car, 39-year-old Oscar Armando Rodas-Sanchez, was not injured, and police said he stayed at the scene after hitting the pedestrian.
