Malik J. Thomas, 25, of Fredericksburg, has been charged with driving while intoxicated and two counts of involuntary manslaughter (DUI) after an early Friday crash on Interstate 95 northbound in Stafford County that killed an adult passenger and a juvenile under age five, Virginia State Police said. Three passengers in the Dodge Charger suffered minor injuries; the adult driver of a Nissan Rogue was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
VDOT closed northbound lanes and detoured traffic at exit 140 after the crash; all lanes reopened and the detour was lifted by 7:09 a.m.
UPDATE: VIRGINIA STATE POLICE INVESTIGATING DOUBLE FATAL CRASH IN STAFFORD
STAFFORD – Virginia State Police is investigating a double fatal crash that occurred this morning at approximately 1:53 a.m. (Nov. 6, 2026) on Interstate 95 northbound at the 141-mile marker in Stafford County.
The preliminary investigation indicates a Dodge Charger, driving at a high rate of speed, struck a Nissan Rogue in the rear of the vehicle. The Rogue then went off of the left side of the interstate and overturned. An adult passenger in the Rogue died at the scene. A juvenile passenger under the age of five was taken to an area hospital, where that passenger later succumbed to their injuries. The adult driver of the Rogue suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital.
The driver of the Charger, Malik J. Thomas, 25, of Fredericksburg, Va., was not injured. Thomas has been charged with driving while intoxicated and two counts of involuntary manslaughter (DUI). Three passengers in the Charger suffered minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
(PICTURES ARE PROPERTY OF VIRGINIA STATE POLICE, WHICH GRANTS PERMISSION FOR BROADCAST/USE)
Stafford Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric L. Olsen issued the following statement:
In the early morning hours of November 6, 2026, an automobile crash on I-95 Northbound at MM 141 resulted in loss of life.
The investigation, led by the Virginia State Police, revealed that while traveling in the northbound lanes, a car carrying a family from Stafford was struck by another vehicle.
An adult female and her young child were killed in the crash.
A male, the husband and father of the deceased, was seriously injured.
The driver of the vehicle responsible for the crash was arrested at the scene on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol (DWI) with a blood alcohol content of .17.
He is 22 years of age and identified himself to the State Police as an active-duty Marine.
Later in the morning of November 6th, following investigation and evidence collection, the driver was also charged with two counts of Aggravated Manslaughter under Virginia Code 19.2-36.1.
The Aggravated Manslaughter charges each carry a potential maximum punishment of twenty (20) years.
The defendant, Malik Jeremiah Thomas, will be arraigned on Monday, November 9, 2026.
