BLADENSBURG, Prince George's County, Md., Sept. 22, 2026 — A 65-year-old woman died Monday morning, September 21, after she was struck by a car in Bladensburg, Maryland. The crash happened around 7 a.m. at the intersection of Upshur Street and Bladensburg Avenue, according to the Bladensburg Police Department.
Officers responding to the intersection found the woman had been hit by a vehicle, police said. She was later identified as Maria Hilda Flores, 65.
The Bladensburg Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is handling the case and is asking anyone with information to come forward. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
When Pedestrian Crashes Cluster Through the Day
Morning hours carry their own risks for people on foot, distinct from the after-dark crashes that dominate national pedestrian death statistics. Commuters are often rushing, drivers are focused on merging into traffic and school or work schedules, and low sun angles around sunrise can blind drivers facing east or west, making a person in a crosswalk hard to see even in daylight.
Evening and nighttime hours still account for the largest share of pedestrian deaths nationally, tied to reduced visibility, driver fatigue, and higher rates of impairment on weekend nights. But morning crashes like this one show that daylight alone doesn't eliminate the danger. Glare, rushed turns, and drivers not expecting pedestrians at that hour all play a role.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. That toll is spread across all hours of the day, though it climbs sharply once the sun goes down, a pattern that has held for years even as vehicle safety technology has improved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In most states, including Maryland, pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk generally have the right of way once they've entered it, though drivers and walkers are both expected to use reasonable care.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections, scanning crosswalks before turning, and avoiding distractions like phones give drivers more time to react to someone stepping into the road.
What injuries are most common in pedestrian crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles often suffer broken bones, head and spinal injuries, and internal trauma, since they have no protection from the impact.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Bladensburg, MD
Anyone who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately and avoid moving an injured person unless there's an immediate danger, like fire or oncoming traffic. Even pedestrians who feel fine after being struck should get checked by a doctor, since injuries like internal bleeding or concussions aren't always obvious right away.
If you're involved in or witness a crash like this, try to note what you saw, including the time, weather, and traffic signals, and share that with responding officers. Cooperating with the police investigation and following up with the department listed in the report can help ensure an accurate record of what happened.
