Virginia State Police are still investigating the three-vehicle crash that closed I-66 East in the Merrifield area for hours on Thursday (Sept. 9).
The crash killed three people who have now been identified as 28-year-old Lacquora Smith from Alfred, Maine, and her 4-year-old and 6-year-old daughters, state police reported in an update this morning (Monday).
According to police, Smith was driving a 2012 Honda Crosstour east on I-66 when the vehicle lost control near the 64-mile marker at I-495, striking a 2015 Toyota RAV SUV and veering off into a guardrail along the right side of the interstate.
After hitting the guardrail, the Honda swerved back into the eastbound lanes of I-66, struck the Toyota a second time, and continued toward the left side of the interstate.
“The Honda continued off the left side of the interstate and struck the guardrail, after which it spun back into the eastbound lanes of I-66,” the VSP said. “An eastbound tractor-trailer swerved to the right to avoid the spinning Honda, but the two vehicles collided.”
Police responded to the scene around 3:06 a.m.
There were five people in Smith’s Honda at the time of the crash. The two surviving passengers — a 7-year-old girl and a 2-year-old juvenile — were transported to Fairfax Inova Hospital to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
VSP spokesperson Corinne Geller confirmed that three of the juveniles in the car were Smith’s children, while the fourth was a family member. It was not immediately clear whether the two surviving children have been released from Inova Hospital as of this afternoon.
As previously reported, the adult male driver of the tractor-trailer involved in the crash was not injured, and the Toyota driver, also an adult man, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
A GoFundMe organized by Catherine Donnell, who identifies herself as Smith’s aunt, has been set up to help the family cover funeral costs and other expenses. The woman says Smith was driving home to New Hampshire after visiting her in Tennessee when the crash occurred.
The fundraiser has drawn more than $16,700 as of 3:15 p.m.
Man Dies in Great Falls Car Crash — A man identified as Salvadro Alvarez Perez, 24, of Maryland died Saturday night (May 29) after hitting a fence and mailbox and flipping over in a crash that occurred at 10:53 p.m. near the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Old Dominion Drive. Detectives believe alcohol may be a factor in the crash but are continuing to investigate whether speed was a factor as well. [FCPD]
Linway Terrace Closed for Stormwater Pipe Replacement — Starting at 8 a.m. today, Linway Terrace between Birch Road and Kirby Road (Route 695) in McLean will be closed to through traffic, weather permitting, until 5 p.m. on June 11 to replace a stormwater pipe. Except for people who need to access properties along Linway Terrace, traffic will not be able to go beyond just west of Bryan Branch Road in either direction. [VDOT]
Madeira School Expansion Approved by Planning Commission — “The Madeira School on May 26 received the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s unanimous support for its special-exception application to add a new science building, more housing and modernized equestrian facilities.” [Sun Gazette]
Idylwood House Fire Caused by Lightning Strike — A house fire that occurred in the 7700 block of Virginia Lane at approximately 8:40 p.m. last Wednesday (May 26) was caused by a lightning strike that hit the home’s exterior. There were no injuries, but the fire displaced two people and produced approximately $42,500 in damages. It was one of two house fires ignited by lightning that night. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
I-66 Lane Closures Coming to Vienna Area — “Overnight lane closures and traffic stoppages on I-66 East and West approaching Vaden Drive in Vienna are scheduled to occur Tuesday, June 1, through Saturday, June 5, for installation of beams for the new Express Lanes access ramps at Vaden Drive…Drivers should expect delays if traveling in this area and should consider using alternate routes.” [VDOT]
A man who was shot during a reported security incident outside the CIA’s headquarters in McLean yesterday (Monday) has now died from his injuries, the FBI says.
The man, who has not been publicly identified, allegedly attempted to enter the Langley compound yesterday afternoon before being stopped by security officers. Fairfax County police responded to the incident, primarily to control traffic as Route 123 was closed in both directions between Kirby Road and Georgetown Pike.
In a statement, the FBI Washington Field Office says that its National Capital Response Squad, which is deployed to potential terrorism events in D.C. and Northern Virginia, also responded to “a report of a suspicious vehicle” outside CIA Headquarters.
The FBI later reported that one of its agents shot the driver at approximately 6 p.m. after he “emerged from his vehicle with a weapon.” The man was wounded and transported to a local hospital.
The FBI announced at 12:37 p.m. today that the man had died from his injuries.
“The FBI reviews every shooting incident involving an FBI special agent,” the bureau said. “The review will carefully examine the circumstances of the shooting and collect all relevant evidence from the scene. As the review remains ongoing, we cannot provide any additional details at this time.”
"The review will carefully examine the circumstances of the shooting and collect all relevant evidence from the scene. As the review remains ongoing, we cannot provide any additional details at this time.”
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) May 4, 2021
Image via Google Maps
An Arlington resident who had been missing for several days was found dead yesterday (Wednesday) in Vienna near Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Fairfax County police confirmed to Tysons Reporter this morning.
Oscar Flores, 27, had been missing since Feb. 13. The Arlington County Police Department put out a call for public assistance in a search on Tuesday (Feb. 16), reporting that he had last been seen around 8 p.m. on Saturday in the area of the Dulles Toll Road and Wolf Trap.
“Police and family are concerned for his health and welfare,” the ACPD said.
Arlington County police reported yesterday that Flores had been found deceased in Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Police Department told Tysons Reporter in a statement that, around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Arlington police had requested one of its helicopters to assist in searching for Flores in the area surrounding the Dulles Toll Road.
The searchers located Flores “in an area off the roadway near Trap Road,” and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the FCPD.
FCPD Major Crimes Bureau detectives then responded to assume the death investigation.
“Preliminarily, they do not suspect foul play,” the FCPD said.
An autopsy to determine the cause of death is currently being conducted by Fairfax County’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, but the FCPD says that any information pertaining to the missing person’s investigation should be directed to Arlington County.
Falls Church police are investigating the death of a man after his body was found on S. Washington Street.
Police said a passerby reported the body in the 500 block of S. Washington Street, which is near near the Target and Pearson Square apartments, around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 23).
“Police responded to the scene and called medics, but the adult male was declared deceased,” police said in a press release, adding that they will not share the victim’s name until the next of kin are notified.
Police are looking for information that can help with the investigation. People who have something to share about the incident can call 703-241-5053 (TTY 711).
The Fairfax County Police Department has launched a new webpage to help investigate cold cases in Fairfax County, which include several in the Tysons area.
The platform houses case information spanning 60 years in the hope that anyone with information will come forward to help resolve the cases. Cold case detectives are asking the public to provide any information about the cases — no matter how small.
“We are committing countless hours and all available resources to close these cases and provide long-awaited answers to victims’ families, and bring those who committed these awful crimes to justice,” said Major Ed O’Carroll, the bureau commander of major crimes.
The website currently provides a limited list of cases, including several local ones. More cases will be added as detectives comb through existing incidents.
Cases are categorized by decade and include a description of the incident, a photo and the date of the incident. As of today, 20 of the cases occurred in the Tysons area — mostly in and surrounding Falls Church.
In 2001, the remains of a woman were found near a drainage ditch on the 1500 block of Lincoln Circle in McLean. The woman was likely shot, according to police. Jewelry and clothing were found at the scene.
In other cases, the identity of the victim is known. For example, Jerome McKagen was found shot to death in his Tysons home on George Washington Road in 1992.
Another incident that rocked the local community was the mysterious death of a couple and their 16-year-old son in 1999. Faud Taima, 63, Dorothy Taima, 54, and their son Leith Taima were found dead in their home. Faud was involved in business dealings in Iraq.
To provide information, people can:
- contact the Major Crimes Bureau: 703-246-7800, option 8
- submit tips anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by texting “FCCS” plus tip to 847411 or online
- download the Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”
The police department says that anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100-$1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.
The cold case squad was founded in 1995 and is housed under FCPD’s major crimes bureau. It investigates unresolved homicides and sex crimes in Fairfax County.
Photo via Bill Oxford/Unsplash
(Updated at 5:20 p.m.) A man died this morning following an incident at the Capital One construction site in Tysons, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
FCPD said that the man, Nelson Aguilar-Salamanca, was brought to the hospital and pronounced dead after he was struck by a rebar that fell from a crane at the 1600 block of Capital One Drive.
A police spokesperson said the first 911 call was received around 7:30 a.m. and that the incident happened in front of the Capital One headquarters.
Aguilar-Salamanca was a 55-year old Maryland resident, according to an FCPD press release, which added that he was working on the site as a subcontractor.
Construction is still underway on the second phase of Capital One’s corporate campus in Tysons, which is set to include a Wegmans grocery store and a performing arts center. Construction is set to wrap up in 2021.
Anyone who witnessed this accident is asked to call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800 or submit an online tip.
Officers are on scene of a workplace accident in the 1600 blk of Capital One Dr. A man was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Detectives are responding to the scene. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/hpwFsKcaJX
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) December 30, 2019
Map via Google Maps
Fairfax County police have arrested the owner of a development company in connection to a teen boy’s death at a McLean construction site.
On July 23, a ditch collapsed on a residential construction site in the 1800 block of Solitaire Lane, trapping two people, police said. Spencer Lunde, a 16-year-old, died and an adult man received non-life-threatening injuries.
“The manner of death has been ruled accidental with the cause being asphyxiation,” police said in August.
“On Monday, evidence was presented to a grand jury who indicted Thomas Digges, 48, of McLean, on charges of involuntary manslaughter and cruelty and injuries to children,” Fairfax County police announced today (Thursday).
Digges is the owner of McLean-based Digges Development Corporation. The construction site where the teen died was a small housing project that Digges was building, WUSA9 reported.
Police said Digges turned himself into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center this morning (Thursday) and has since been “released on his own recognizance.”
Second photo via FCPD
(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Fairfax County police have identified the man who was fatally struck by a police cruiser along Route 50 in the Falls Church area yesterday.
Shortly after midnight on Sunday (Oct. 20), a police cruiser struck and killed 40-year-old Carlos Romeo Montoya near Arlington Blvd (Route 50) and Graham Road, police said.
“We do not have a current address at this time,” police said in a press release today. “Next of kin have been notified.”
More from FCPD:
A patrol officer who has more than four years of law enforcement experience and who is assigned to the Mason District Station was driving in a marked police cruiser in the area of Arlington Boulevard and Graham Road. The officer was responding to a call for service for disorderly subjects.
The marked police cruiser was proceeding through a green light eastbound on Arlington Boulevard approaching the intersection of Graham Road.
This intersection has a pedestrian crosswalk with a pedestrian signal for the crosswalk. The posted speed limit for Arlington Boulevard in that area is 45 miles per hour.
As the police cruiser proceeded through the intersection, an adult male was struck in the left travel lane of Arlington Boulevard by the cruiser. The location of impact was within the crosswalk as determined by the police cruiser in-car video.
The officer immediately stopped to render first aid and called for the Fire and Rescue Department. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital by rescue personnel and was pronounced deceased.
“The best information we have right now is that the officer did have a green list, was proceeding through the intersection and that the pedestrian was, unfortunately, crossing against the ‘Don’t walk’ sign,” Chief Edwin Roessler Jr. said during a press conference yesterday.
Montoya’s death marks the 14th pedestrian fatality in the county this year, according to police.
“This is an intersection that has a historical issue with pedestrian safety,” Roessler said at the press conference.
Cyclist and pedestrian advocates are urging people to attend a meeting tonight (Monday) about changes to Route 50.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is looking to get community feedback about a Route 50 study currently underway to identify potential safety and operational changes for Route 50 between Jaguar Trail and Wilson Blvd.
The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) took to social media to urge people to attend the meeting.
Bruce Wright, a board member of FABB, said that the Graham Road and Route 50 intersection was identified in 2004 “as a big problem” for pedestrian safety and is “still very dangerous.”
Wright said that service roads along Route 50, the dense residential area nearby and high speed limit contribute to the safety factors at the intersection. Wright said he wants VDOT and the county to consider redesigning the intersection and lowering the speed limit.
“It is such an important corridor and yet it’s optimized for motorists,” Wright said.
FABB is working with local police to identify where bicycle crashes are happening, Wright said, adding that the group wants to work with VDOT as well.
The crash is currently under investigation and is working to determine the cruiser’s speed, the lighting conditions at the intersection and the condition of the pedestrian walk sign, along with a forensic medical examination, police said.
“The results of the investigation by the Crash Reconstruction Unit will be presented to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County,” the press release said.
Anyone with information about the crash can contact Crash Reconstruction Unit detectives at 703-280-0543.
“The involved officer was reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of our investigations by the Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Internal Affairs Bureau,” police said.
Map via Google Maps
Updated at 4:50 p.m. 8/8/19 — “The case is still an active investigation and we can confirm that the manner of death has been ruled accidental with the cause being asphyxiation,” a police spokesperson told Tysons Reporter.
Earlier: Fairfax County police are investigating a boy’s death following a construction accident in McLean.
Police tweeted that two males were involved in a fatal construction accident that happened in the 1800 block of Solitaire Lane.
James Curry, a police spokesperson, told Tysons Reporter that police responded around 3:15 p.m. after a ditch collapsed on a residential construction site, trapping two people. The individuals were extricated and taken to nearby hospitals, Curry said.
“The adult male sustained injuries that are considered non-life threatening,” he said. “Unfortunately, the juvenile did pass away.”
Investigators from the police department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are currently trying to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
Anyone who might have witnessed or who has information about what happened is asked to call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to confirm the cause of death, according to FCPD.
Map via Google Maps
