At approximately 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 1, 2007, an adult female was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk in the 800 block of Southern Avenue, SE, when she was struck by a 2002 Toyota Avalon traveling southbound in the block. The pedestrian who has been identified as 18-year-old Darrnita Byrd, of the 1300 block of Southview Drive, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and pronounced dead.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the 2002 Toyota Avalon was reported stolen by its owner in Prince George’s County. Four 14-year-old juveniles were arrested and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (UUV, passengers) in connection with this case which remains under investigation by members of the department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit.