Driver Crashes Mini Cooper Into Pedestrian Bridge Over Route 50 In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — A man drove his car into an abutment of the Jackson Street Pedestrian Bridge across Route 50 near the Thomas Jefferson Community and Fitness Center early Thursday morning and then crashed into a bollard along a jogging path near the bridge, according to the Arlington County Police Department.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m., police were dispatched to the 3500 block of 2nd Street S. for the report of a single vehicle crash. When they arrived, officers determined the driver, a 32-year-old Arlington man, had struck the pedestrian bridge and the bollard, police said.

According to a witness, the driver appeared to be trying to drive his Mini Cooper onto the pedestrian bridge over Route 50 to N. Jackson Street. But after failing to make it onto the pedestrian bridge, the man then drove along the community center’s walking and jogging path toward S. Irving Street, where he struck a large yellow steel bollard.

The front end of the Mini Cooper was damaged, the witness told Patch.

The driver, who showed signs of impairment, was detained at the scene and placed under arrest for suspected driving under the influence, according to police. He was not injured in the incident, police said.

About 15 years ago, the pedestrian bridge underwent an improvement project that included replacing the metal decking and fencing, improvements to the railings, installation of new lighting, and installation of a new roof.

The bridge was built in the mid-1970s and is used as a key crossing between North Arlington and South Arlington.