D.C. police said an elderly female passenger died Monday after another woman stole the idling car from outside a Northwest hospital and later crashed it downtown.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Darnel Robinson said the white SUV was stolen at the Washington Hospital Center around 1:15 p.m. Monday when a woman hopped in the car and sped off after the driver stepped out of the vehicle.

Authorities said the driver’s elderly mother, who wasn’t identified, was inside the vehicle when the suspect commandeered it.

The thief raced away until she crashed a short time later into a building at the corner of 6th and D streets in Northwest — right by the District’s courthouses and Metropolitan Police headquarters.

Chief Robinson said the woman tried to run away from the wreckage, but police quickly captured her.

D.C. Fire and EMS at first said the elderly passenger was in life-threatening condition following the collision. Police said the woman later died. A cause of death hasn’t been shared at this time.

“It is a tragic event, our condolences are with the family at this time,” Chief Robinson said.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.