A police captain arrested Brown, of Southeast Washington, as she attempted to flee the scene of the accident outside the DCUS Attorney’s Office in the 600 block of D Street NW, near ‘Indiana Avenue, authorities said.
The deceased woman was identified as Leslie Marie Gaines, 55, of Northeastern. Police said they are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine how Gaines died.
Police and hospital officials said the carjacking happened around 1:10 p.m. in front of the emergency department at MedStar Washington Hospital on Irving Street NW near McMillan Reservoir.
Police said in a statement that Brown walked away from her family outside the emergency center just as Gaines’ daughter pulled up outside the building in a Mazda SUV. Police said Gaines’ daughter left the vehicle to get a wheelchair for her mother, who was in the front passenger seat.
Police allege Brown then got in the driver’s seat of the SUV and drove toward downtown with Gaines inside. About 20 minutes later, police said, the driver of the Mazda headed north in the 400 block of Sixth Street NW, lost control while attempting to turn left onto D Street and hit the barrier. A police spokesperson said officers were not pursuing the vehicle.
Reached by phone Tuesday, Gaines’ daughter said she did not want to discuss what happened.
Motor vehicle thefts and carjackings in the city have started to decline following significant increases in 2023, which saw an 82% increase in motor vehicle thefts and almost twice as many carjackings per year. compared to 2022.
Motor vehicle thefts in the District are down 30% so far this year compared to 2023, according to DC police data, and carjackings citywide are down 33%. compared to the same period last year.