4 Seriously Injured in Aquia Crash

UPDATE 5:30 p.m 

All four occupants of a Toyota Scion that crashed in the 1200 block of Aquia Drive in Aquia Harbour on Thursday suffered serious injuries.

Speed and alcohol appear to be factors in a crash that led to charges for the driver and two other occupants. The driver had just bought the car the day of the crash, said Stafford sheriff’s Major David Decatur.

According to Decatur, all occupants were ejected from the car when it crashed. The driver and front seat passenger were both partially ejected and had to be freed by rescue crews. Both were males, age 17 and 19, and suffered injuries such as broken noses, hands, arms, ribs, and shoulders, said Decatur.

Two female occupants, ages 16 and 18, were sitting the back seat when they were completely ejected from the car. Both suffered broken backs, said Decatur. Amazingly, the 16-year-old was able to get to a nearby house and call for help, added Decatur.

Daniel Ringler, 19, of Blackbeard Drive in Aquia Harbour, is charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, and with underage possession of alcohol, said Decatur.

The 17-year-old male and 16-year-old female, both of Stafford County, also face alcohol possession charges, said Decatur. No alcohol was detected on the 18-year-old female, who is from Woodbridge but was staying with an acquaintance in Stafford County at the time of the crash.

The crash victims were all taken to a local hospital and treated for their injuries.

3:45 a.m.

By KJ MUSHUNG

AQUIA HARBOUR, Va. — One man said he could hear a car speeding up and down his street in Aquia Harbour with the stereo bass blaring. It was around 1 a.m., and someone appeared to be going for a joy ride. Then there was a tremendous noise.

Tim Dahmer yelled to his girlfriend, June Butler, to call 911. Jeff Alton, who lives across the street, had the same idea.

It was 1:20 a.m. Thursday, and a silver car lay sideways, crumpled among the trees at the corner of Aquia Drive and Channel Cove. Dahmer said there were three people, two males and one female, in the vehicle and that they were all conscious.. He said that they were trying to get rid of evidence of beer they had with them.

According to Dahmer, the female, who an unidentified firefighter said was 18 years old, called out for someone named Amanda. According to witnesses, Amanda was also in the vehicle but left the scene and reportedly went to a friend’s house nearby in the neighborhood. Authorities confirmed that a fourth female was located but could not give any further information.

A Virginia State Police officer said the driver was 21-years-old. No names have been released as of press time.

Approximately a dozen police, fire and rescue vehicles from Aquia Harbour, Stafford and the Virginia State Police converged on the scene, some remaining until nearly 3 a.m.