WASHINGTON (WMAR) — A man crashed and died after leading police on a high speed car chase from Maryland into Washington D.C., just as the clock struck midnight on Christmas Eve.
Prince George's County Police were initially dispatched to a gas station robbery in the 9100 block of Livingston Road in Fort Washington.
As they were responding, an officer saw the suspect later identified as 36-year-old Danny Washington fleeing in a car.
At first Washington pulled over for police, but just over a minute later he sped off.
Officers received permission from a supervisor to chase at 11:55 p.m., which led them into Washington D.C.
Five minutes later Washington's car crashed into a jersey wall and caught on fire along the 11th Street exit ramp, while trying to get onto I-295.
Officers were able to rescue Washington from the burning car and use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.
Washington however died a short time later at an area hospital.
Prince George's County Police say it turned out that Washington stole "business funds" from the gas station.
D.C. Metropolitan Police are handling the crash investigation while Prince George's County Police will continue investigating the pursuit and theft.
