Secret Service motorcycle officer critically injured in crash near National Zoo

November 12, 2026 Clara Wilson

A motorcycle officer with the U.S. Secret Service is critically injured after being hit by an SUV early Tuesday, authorities say.

The officer was rushed to a hospital unconscious but breathing, D.C. police said. A Secret Service spokesperson told News4 the officer’s condition is improving in the hospital.

The SUV’s driver also was taken to a hospital.

The crash happened just after 6 a.m. in the 3100 block of Connecticut Avenue NW, police said. It’s near the National Zoo, Devonshire Place NW and Macomb Street NW.

The driver who hit the officer remained on the scene, police said.

Hours after the crash, shards of glass, plastic and metal could be seen in the roadway. News4 saw the motorcycle surrounded by debris in a section of the street cordoned off by police tape.

Jessica Albert/WRC

A Secret Service officer’s motorcycle sits in Connecticut Ave. hours after a crash left the officer and one other person badly hurt.

News4 also saw the black SUV that struck the motorcycle at the scene. The driver’s side door appeared crumpled inward where the car collided with the officer. The driver’s airbag deployed at some point during the crash and could be seen, inflated, through the windshield and side window.

The Secret Service confirmed that the motorcycle officer was badly hurt.

“Early this morning a Secret Service Police motorcycle officer was involved in a vehicle accident near Connecticut Avenue and Devonshire Place,” the agency said in a statement. “The officer was critically injured in the crash and was rendered aid on scene. Both the Secret Service Police officer and other driver were transported to local hospitals for further evaluation and treatment. Our thoughts are with those involved.”

The crash appears to be a typical traffic crash, not anything targeted to the Secret Service, authorities said.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s major crash investigation unit is leading the investigation.

Connecticut Avenue was closed for multiple hours in both directions before reopening. Drivers were told to expect significant backups during the morning commute.