A Virginia State Police trooper and occupants of a vehicle that had been pulled over for speeding narrowly escaped injury last night (Wednesday) from a collision with a drunk driver, police say.
The incident occurred around 11:45 p.m. on I-495 near the exit to Gallows Road south of Merrifield.
According to the VSP report, a trooper identified as J. Weitzman had stopped a Toyota sedan that was traveling north on the interstate at 90 miles per hour:
While the trooper was standing next to the stopped Toyota, a Nissan Versa traveling north on I-495 ran off the right side of the interstate and slammed into the trooper’s marked patrol car. (The state police vehicle had its emergency lights activated at the time.) The impact of that crash forced the state police car into the Toyota. Trooper Weitzman had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.
Meanwhile, the Nissan came to rest in the northbound lanes of I-495.
After making certain the Toyota’s driver and passenger were not injured, Trooper Weitzman ran over to the Nissan and called for rescue. The driver was trapped inside the Nissan, as the crash jammed the driver’s door shut. The trooper was able to help the driver of the Nissan out of the vehicle through the passenger side.
No injuries resulted from the crash to Weitzman, the Nissan driver, or the occupants of the Toyota.
The Nissan driver, a 65-year-old D.C. resident, was taken into custody and now faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence. Police say this is the driver’s second DUI offense within the past 10 years.
The driver has also been charged with refusing to take an alcohol breath test, driving without a valid license, and failing to move over.
“The crash remains under investigation,” the Virginia State Police said.
#VSP trooper stopped out w/speeding vehicle on I-495 in #FairfaxCounty was struck by 65 YO #DUI driver at 11:45 PM 12/22/21. No injuries, amazingly. It's the holidays, #Virginia! Pls #DriveSober #SlowDown & #MoveOver. Let's all make it home safely for the #holidays. @VaDOTNOVA pic.twitter.com/qHh5oJUF4U
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) December 23, 2021
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