Cyclist, 22, Dies After Being Hit by Truck Near Dupont Circle

He said trucks are generally more hazardous to cyclists than cars because they are higher off the road and have more blind spots.

The truck is owned by KMG Hauling, a Sterling-based company. KMG Hauling owner Hugo Garcia said his company is investigating the accident.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased," Garcia said.

Garcia declined to say how long Flores-Fuentes had been employed by KMG or whether his company was working for the city or a private residence or business.

Swanson had an internship in Washington last year at the Middle East Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. She graduated from Amherst College with a degree in Middle East history, according to the institute's Web site. The site says she studied Arabic at the institute.

She remained in the city after that and began work in January as a program associate at the International Research and Exchanges Board, an organization that promotes international education.

The organization released a statement saying: "The loss comes as a terrible shock to all of us here. She was a well loved employee and friend to all who knew her."

Her former co-workers at the Middle East Institute said that Swanson was also well liked there.

"She was the absolute sweetest girl you could ever know," said Stephanie Richardson, deputy director of communications for the institute. "She was not just a good person to be around, but a fantastic addition to our group."

Adam Mendelson, managing editor of the Middle East Journal, the department where Swanson interned, said: "Alice's intelligence and passion for learning was rivaled only by her great warmth and friendliness. I can't ever remember her without a smile on her face."

Traffic fatalities have claimed 20 lives this year in the District, compared with 27 at this time last year.

D.C. Assistant Police Chief Patrick Burke said that he used to commute to work on his bike along the street where Swanson was killed. With rising gas prices, he said he expects to see more cyclists and pedestrians in the streets.

"It's imperative that drivers are cognizant of this and that we all share the road," Burke said.

About two hours after the accident, the mangled bicycle was still visible under the truck's right front tire. A helmet and a backpack were on the street a few feet away.

Staff writer Debbi Wilgoren and staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.