Detectives with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit seek the public’s assistance in identifying and locating two suspects sought in a Tuesday evening auto theft and fatal hit-and-run in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood that killed 33-year-old Rakesh Patel of Silver Spring.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 8:03 pm, [the] suspect entered the victim’s unoccupied vehicle in the 1800 block of Vernon Street, Northwest,” reads an MPD news release. “The suspect attempted to flee the scene in the vehicle and struck the victim at the listed location. The suspect then fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead. The victim’s vehicle has been recovered.”
“We are heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of Dr. Rakesh (Rick) Patel,” MedStar Washington Hospital Center said in a statement. “He was the victim of a carjacking and a hit-and-run in the District, according to Metropolitan police. Dr. Patel was one of our Medical Intensive Care Unit fellows at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. After completing his Internal Medicine Residency at MedStar Washington, he stayed with us to complete his Infectious Diseases fellowship and was currently training as a Critical Care fellow. He will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched. Please keep Dr. Patel’s family and peers in your thoughts and prayers during the days ahead.”
Anyone who has knowledge of these individuals is asked to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to MPD’s text tip line at 50411. MPD currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible in this case.
Photo: MedStar Washington Hospital Center / Facebook