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Silver Spring doctor struck and killed by own vehicle in DC car theft

Will Vitka | wvitka@wtop.com

March 9, 2022, 12:17 PM

A Silver Spring, Maryland, doctor serving residency at MedStar Washington was struck and killed by his own vehicle during a car theft turned hit-and-run in Northwest D.C. on Tuesday night, D.C. police said.

According to authorities, the suspect entered Dr. Rakesh Patel’s unoccupied car around 8 p.m. in the 1800 block of Vernon Street NW near the intersection of 18th Street and Florida Avenue.

The suspect tried to flee the scene in the car and struck Patel, 33, before making a getaway. ... D.C. Fire and EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of Dr. Rakesh (Rick) Patel,” Medstar said in a statement. “He served his residency here, had completed a fellowship in Infectious Diseases, and was currently training as a Critical Care fellow. Dr. Patel will be greatly missed.”

Link to tweet

Police said shortly before 2 p.m. that they had recovered Rakesh’s stolen Mercedes. ... Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should call police at 202-727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.

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Will Vitka
William Vitka is a Digital Editor and reporter for WTOP.com. He's been in the news industry for over a decade. Before joining WTOP, he worked for CBS News, Stuff Magazine, The New York Post and wrote a variety of books—about a dozen of them, with more to come.

wvitka@wtop.com
@WillVitka

DC

Carjacker hits, kills MedStar Washington doctor

33-year-old Dr. Rakesh Patel of Silver Spring, Maryland died after a carjacker stole his car and ran into him while attempting to leave the scene, police said.

Author: Brielle Ashford (WUSA9)
Published: 3:43 PM EST March 9, 2022
Updated: 3:43 PM EST March 9, 2022

WASHINGTON — A 33-year-old doctor at MedStar Washington was killed Tuesday after someone stole his car and ran into him, according to police. ... Dr. Rakesh Patel of Silver Spring, Maryland was hit at the intersection of 18th Street and Florida Avenue, Northwest just past 8 p.m.

Police said the suspect got into the unoccupied car in the 1800 block of Vernon Street, Northwest, and attempted to drive away with Patel nearby. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services came to the scene and took Patel to the hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

MedStar Washington Hospital Center Patel posted their condolences on Facebook, sharing that Patel was a Medical Intensive Care Unit fellow and, after completing his Internal Medicine Residency, he stayed with the hospital center to complete his Infectious Diseases fellowship and was in the process of training as a Critical Care fellow. ... “He will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched. Please keep Dr. Patel’s family and peers in your thoughts and prayers during the days ahead,” the post reads.

Police confirmed that they recovered the stolen car Wednesday just before 2 p.m., however, they have not yet released any more information regarding the suspect. Anyone who has knowledge of the incident should call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the department at 50411.