Traffic Fatality on Kenilworth Avenue, NE

August 10, 2009
Traffic Fatality on Kenilworth Avenue, NE
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a single vehicle traffic fatality which occurred in the 1300 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE.

At approximately 5:53 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2009, an adult male was reportedly operating a 2001 Ford Mustang at a high rate of speed northbound in the 1300 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. At that time the operator reportedly lost control of the vehicle and struck a “Jersey barrier” before coming to a rest. During the course of this accident, an adult female who was the front seat passenger was partially ejected from the vehicle.

Personnel from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department responded to the scene, but were unable to find any signs from the woman consistent with life. She was subsequently pronounced dead on the scene by a representative from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia.

The decedent in this case has been identified as 28-year-old Diona Shaunte Anthony of the 7000 block of Independence Street in Capitol Heights, Maryland.

A subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the operator of the vehicle who has been identified as 34-year-old Erik Anthony Bingham of Hyattsville, Maryland. Mr. Bingham is currently being charged with Driving under the Influence in connection with this case. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment of apparently non-life threatening injuries.


The circumstances surrounding this traffic fatality remain under investigation by members assigned to the department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit.