Pedestrian Fatally Struck on Baltimore-Washington Parkway

A pedestrian who appeared to be in his mid-30s was killed on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway early Saturday when he was hit by at least two vehicles, the U.S. Park Police said.

The man was hit shortly after 1 a.m. on the ramp from the southbound lanes of the parkway to the westbound lanes of New York Avenue NE, police said.

It was at least the fourth pedestrian fatality on the parkway in the Washington area since August, 2008, and the third near the exit ramp leading into the District.

In addition, it appeared to be the second pedestrian death in the metropolitan area in the past seven days, further highlighting what has been described as an area-wide public safety problem.

The man struck yesterday has not been identified. Police said he was apparently Hispanic, about 5 feet to 5-feet-3 and weighing about 135 pounds.

As an aid to identification, police released images of a white T-shirt he wore, with intricate designs on front and back. One side bore the words "Semper Paratus," the other "Royal Ruthlessness." Police asked anyone with information to call 202-610-8737.

In addition to the three parkway fatalities near the exit ramp in little more than 14 months, a man was killed on the parkway Aug. 4 when he tried to cross just south of Route 450.

A recent study found that, on average, more than 80 pedestrians died each year in the Washington region, often while trying to cross main roads after dark.

In what appeared to be the area's most recent previous pedestrian fatality, a man was killed trying to cross Richmond Highway in Fairfax County near Backlick Road in the Fort Belvoir area on Monday night. It was the county's 10th pedestrian death this year.