Story perspectives

Two Pentagon Buses Crash Injures 23, Center Closed

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Two commuter buses collided on Metro Access Road in Pentagon’s South parking lot, Arlington, Virginia, at 7:20 a.m., injuring 23 people.
Eighteen injured passengers were taken to hospitals while five received on-scene treatment and were released.
The crash forced the Pentagon Transit Center to close for hours, rerouting commuters to Pentagon City Station.
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency is investigating with assistance from Arlington County Fire and Metro Transit Police.

History

Historical Context

On June 22 2009 a six-car Red Line train stopped inside a newly replaced track circuit near Fort Totten, rendering it invisible to the automatic train control system. A following train entered the same block at full speed, colliding at about 44 mph, killing nine people and injuring roughly 80. The NTSB blamed the faulty circuit, prompting WMATA to suspend service, replace circuits and overhaul safety protocols.

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Story summary

Two commuter buses collided on Metro Access Road in Pentagon’s South parking lot, Arlington, Virginia, at 7:20 a.m., injuring 23 people.
Eighteen injured passengers were taken to hospitals while five received on-scene treatment and were released.
The crash forced the Pentagon Transit Center to close for hours, rerouting commuters to Pentagon City Station.
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency is investigating with assistance from Arlington County Fire and Metro Transit Police.

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