An armored military vehicle deployed by the D.C. National Guard collided with a civilian SUV in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning, trapping one person inside and raising questions about the growing military presence in the nation’s capital.
The crash occurred at the intersection of North Carolina Avenue and 8th Street SE, less than a mile from the U.S. Capitol. D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed the incident to Newsweek, noting that there were no fatalities.
“The civilian was transported to the hospital with minor injuries,” Vito Maggiolo, public information officer for D.C. Fire and EMS, said in a statement to Newsweek. “Any investigation would be conducted by the Metropolitan Police.”
Why It Matters
The incident unfolded during an escalating deployment of National Guard troops across the nation’s capital in response to President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on crime and immigration enforcement.
Approximately 1,900 troops are being stationed in the District, with more than half coming from six Republican-led states — Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia — that recently pledged at least 1,200 additional soldiers.
Beginning-Ice-7172/Reddit
What To Know
The military vehicle involved was not a Humvee, as initially reported by some outlets, but a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), designed for war zones. These vehicles weigh about 14 tons and have been commonly used in conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
A video posted online by a bystander showed the aftermath of the collision, with the tan-colored armored vehicle — significantly larger than the civilian car — sitting next to a silver SUV with its side visibly crushed.
“You come to our city and this is what you do? Seriously?” a woman is heard yelling at uniformed troops in the video, reported NBC Washington.
This video of the aftermath of the crash was posted from a bystander on Reddit this morning. According to the bystander, DC Fire had to use the jaws of life to open the car door to get the passenger out.https://t.co/qYdNdo5SI7
— Liz Friden (@Liz_Friden) August 20, 2025
At the crash site, the visual disparity between the 14-ton military vehicle and the crushed SUV underscored the public’s concern. The military truck towered over the civilian car, its armored plating intact while the SUV’s side was sheared in.
“This could have been worse. It’s a miracle nobody died,” a resident told NBC Washington, declining to give her name. “These streets weren’t made for tanks.”
The deployment has drawn criticism from local officials and residents, who argue that the increased military presence is unnecessary and potentially dangerous. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser questioned the broader implications of having combat-ready troops patrolling civilian streets.
“The real question is why the military is being deployed in an American city to police Americans,” she told reporters.
What Happens Next
The driver was removed from the SUV using the jaws of life and remained conscious and breathing, police said. Their injuries are not considered life threatening.
