Driver Charged In Death Of Pedestrian

WASHINGTON (AP) -- D.C. police have charged a Maryland man with second-degree murder in the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a speeding van.

Police say Woodrow Johnson, 52, of Capitol Heights, Md., struck five vehicles while speeding along Benning Road, Northeast, shortly after 6 p.m. Friday. He also struck a pedestrian, identified by police as Shamika Smith of Washington. Smith, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police haven't said why Johnson was driving so erratically, but he was not being pursued.

Police say Smith was in a crosswalk when she was struck.

Three other people suffered minor injuries when the vehicles they were riding in were struck by Johnson's van. The van belonged to a company called Ecolab, and police say it was not stolen.

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