1 dead in highway work zone hit-and-run crash on DC beltway

Authorities say a hit-and-run driver struck and killed a person in a highway work zone on the D.C. beltway in Silver Spring.

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Authorities say a hit-and-run driver struck and killed a man in a highway work zone on the D.C. beltway in Silver Spring.

The crash was reported around 10:15 a.m. Wednesday along the inner loop of Interstate 495 near Georgia Avenue in Montgomery County.

Deadly work zone hit-and-run crash leaves 1 dead on DC beltway

Maryland State Police have identified the victim as Eric Lewis, 57, of Washington, D.C. Emergency medical service personnel from Montgomery County pronounced him dead at the scene.

According to the preliminary investigation, Lewis was a crew member of a mobile tree trimming company working on the shoulder of I-495 when he was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on I-495 into the work zone.

The driver did not remain at the scene. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Crash Team are leading the investigation.

They believe the suspect was driving a Freightliner truck hauling a flatbed with a forklift. Detectives think the suspect's vehicle is missing the right front headlight assembly.

The crash investigation blocked two lanes of the highway and snarled traffic Wednesday morning.

Maryland State Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the Rockville Barrack at 301-424-2101.