Car crash at fireworks stand in Washington leaves two dead, police say

The other man who was killed was working at the fireworks stand when the crash occurred about 5:30 p.m., Manlapaz said.

The driver of the truck and a passenger were taken to hospitals, he said.

According to Manlapaz’s recount of the incident, the truck was going north on Minnesota Avenue when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck the bicyclist. The truck continued on, climbing onto the sidewalk and running into the fireworks stand.

It was not immediately clear why the vehicle went out of control. However, some officials said the driver may have suffered a medical emergency.

Information about the condition of the driver or the passenger was not immediately available.

A photograph showed that the stand was severely damaged in the incident. It showed a sagging canopy that was once supported by poles that had now fallen or been knocked askew.

Containers that presumably held merchandise, appeared scattered.

However there was no indication that any fireworks had detonated, police said.

It was not clear how long the stand had been operating at the Minnesota Avenue corner. The incident Saturday occurred two days before the Fourth of July, when fireworks form part of many people’s observance, and at a time when temporary stands spring up along many roadsides for supplying the seasonal demand.

Certain fireworks are legal in the District, according to the D.C. fire department’s website. They include torches, box fires, fountains and sparklers less than 20 inches, the website said.

The scene was near the Deanwood neighborhood, southeast of the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, and about a mile south of the boundary between the District and Prince George’s County.

Names of those involved in the incident were not released.

This story is developing and will be updated.