WASHINGTON (SOCIETY ALERT) — A man lost his life early Tuesday morning after being hit by an SUV on Interstate 695 in Washington, D.C. Authorities identified the victim as 43-year-old Efrain Chavez-Navarrate, a resident of Northwest D.C.
The crash occurred at about 1:20 a.m. on August 26. According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), officers were called to the scene after reports of a pedestrian struck on the highway. When first responders arrived, they found Chavez-Navarrate lying in the travel lane, unconscious and not breathing. Emergency medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, but sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe that Chavez-Navarrate was in the roadway at the time of the crash. A preliminary report indicates that a Toyota RAV4 traveling along the interstate struck him as he stood or walked in the travel lane. The impact proved fatal. The driver of the SUV, whose name has not been released, remained at the scene and cooperated with police. Authorities have not indicated that the driver sustained any injuries.
At this point, investigators have not shared details about why Chavez-Navarrate was in the roadway or whether other factors such as speed, visibility, or impairment may have contributed to the crash. Detectives with MPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are carefully reviewing the circumstances. They will examine roadway conditions, check for surveillance footage, and reconstruct the sequence of events to better understand how the tragedy unfolded.
Fatal crashes involving pedestrians on major highways like I-695 often raise questions about safety and access. High-speed roadways are generally not designed for foot traffic, and pedestrians face extreme risks when entering travel lanes. While it remains unclear what led Chavez-Navarrate onto the interstate, his death highlights the dangers pedestrians encounter in such situations.
The incident also caused disruption for overnight drivers using the interstate. Police temporarily restricted access to certain lanes as investigators processed the scene. Motorists traveling through the area experienced delays until the roadway was cleared.
Community members who learned of the crash have expressed sympathy for Chavez-Navarrate’s family. At just 43 years old, his life ended abruptly under tragic circumstances, leaving loved ones mourning and searching for answers. Police are expected to continue gathering information to provide clarity for the family and determine whether any charges or citations are warranted in connection with the incident.
The Metropolitan Police Department is urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has information relevant to the case to come forward. Detectives stress that public assistance is often essential in piecing together what happened, especially in late-night crashes where visibility is limited and eyewitnesses may be scarce.
As the investigation moves forward, officials are reminding drivers to remain alert on the roads, particularly at night when visibility is reduced. They also caution pedestrians to avoid entering highways or restricted areas, where the risk of being struck by fast-moving vehicles is high.
