Man Dragged by Taxi Cab in Dupont Circle

Witnesses say the man held on to cab's door

D.C. police are investigating a bizarre incident on Wednesday that left a pedestrian seriously injured.

It happened after midnight on the 1300 block of Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle.

Investigators say a man was hailing a taxi with a group of friends.  As a cab passed by, the man grabbed on to the vehicle's door handle.  But the cab did not stop for the man, and he did not let go.

Police said that still holding on to the cab, the man was dragged a short distance down the roadway.  The man eventually did let go, and suffered a serious head injury.  He may have hit the mirror of a truck parked on Connecticut Avenue, which was shattered and behind police tape on the scene.

The man has been hospitalized, listed in critical condition on Wednesday morning.

The cab did not stop after the accident, and originally, police were pursuing the driver.  However, a spokesman told News4 after investigators interviewed witnesses, they believe the man held on of his own volition, and do not think the cab driver did anything wrong.

Police said they are no longer pursuing the driver and he does not currently face any charges.

At 6:45 a.m., the continuing police investigation was affecting traffic in Dupont Circle.

Check back for more updates as they become available.

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