Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “A 38-year-old Spotsylvania woman caused an auto accident late last night due to reckless driving and alcohol.”

“On December 7th at approximately 5:47 p.m. Deputy C.M. Sterne responded to the intersection of Banks Ford Parkway and Celebrate Virginia Parkway for an auto accident. It was discovered the first driver had the right of way and proceeded through the intersection. The second driver also assumed she had the right of way and proceeded through the intersection. Any physics professor will tell you two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.”

Stafford deputies have made more than 430 DUI arrests so far in 2023. Last year, deputies arrested 456, said sheriff’s spokesman Ryan Wilbur.

DUIs continue to be a problem in the region. We’re chronicling them here.

Updated 3 p.m. — Manassas police closed a portion of Center Street at Main Street in Downtown Manassas for a crash.

Police reported the crash at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Police reopened the street at 7:50 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023.

Police did not identify the victim. However, they did charge a 47-year-old man in connection to the crime.

Manassas police: “On December 2, 2023, at 11:01 p.m., Manassas City Police responded to the 8900 block of Center Street for an Auto Accident with a Pedestrian being struck. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased by emergency medical personnel. The driver of the vehicle, a white 2008 Ford E350, involved in the accident was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. Investigators are still reviewing, collecting, and processing the evidence to determine the details of the incident. We will not be releasing further information on the case at this time as the investigation is ongoing. The Manassas City Police is seeking any video footage that may have been taken of the incident. Please contact our Investigative Services Division at 703-257-8088.”

Arrested: Jose Rafael Lizama of Manassas Park

• 47 year old male
• Held without Bond at the Prince William Detention Center
• No picture available
• Charged: Driving While Intoxicated

The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade marched through the site hours before the crash.

More as we have it.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “On November 26 at approximately 2:21 a.m. Deputy W.E. Trainor was traveling Northbound on Richmond Highway. While doing so, a vehicle passed him at a high rate of speed, and drifted into his lane and nearly struck his vehicle. She would do this once again traveling at speeds of nearly 70 MPH.”

“Deputy Trainor conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the intersection of Richmond Highway and Aquia Town Center. As he approached the vehicle, he observed two children in the back seat: one was sitting in a car seat that was improperly secured and on its side, the other child was laying on the backseat with no safety device. The driver, identified as Cluadia Sorto Ortiz, [25, of Glenn Dale Maryland] advised her driving behavior was due to her wanting to get home. It was later discovered she consumed two red solo cups full of red wine.”

“After conducting field sobriety tests, Deputy Trainor placed Ortiz under arrest. Ortiz advised she knew she shouldn’t have been driving drunk. She was charged with driving under the influence with a child present, refusal, two counts of transporting a child without a proper restraint device, reckless driving, and two counts of felony child neglect. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.”

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “On November 25 at approximately 6:51 p.m. Deputy D.S. Jett and Deputy M.A. Holub responded to a disturbance at El Viejon, located at 1243 Richmond Highway. The caller advised a woman was screaming before getting behind the wheel of a black Kia.”

“Deputy Jett and Deputy Holub would spot the vehicle on Richmond Highway near Alabaster Lane, and made contact with the occupants. It was determined the screaming was due to the driver, Tonya Whitaker, getting into an argument with the passengers because she wanted to drive, despite being obviously intoxicated. Deputies also noticed those obvious signs while conversing with Whitaker. Not only did Whitaker admit to drinking prior to driving, there was an empty can of Four Loko, empty bottle of vodka, and partially empty bottle of vodka located in her area. It was also discovered she did not possess a valid license.”

“Whitaker was charged with driving under the influence third offense in ten years, drinking while driving, and driving without a license. Her list of charges does not end there. While being processed at Rappahannock Regional Jail, it was discovered she was attempting to hide a knife on her person. She was additionally charged with felony by a prisoner, and was held without bond.”

Stafford deputies have made more than 430 DUI arrests so far in 2023. Last year, deputies arrested 456, said sheriff’s spokesman Ryan Wilbur.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “On November 23rd at approximately 8:34 p.m., Deputy A.T. Leckemby was traveling eastbound on Garrisonville Road near Onville Road when he observed a quick moving figure in front of him. It was difficult to make out the fact it was a minibike due to there being no lights on the bike at all. When Deputy Leckemby turned on his emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop, the rider of the little red bike looked back towards Deputy Leckemby before proceeding to accelerate. This resulted in a pursuit.”

“Deputy Leckemby followed the minibike down Garrisonville Road, onto Richmond Highway, and into the Best Western parking lot, located at 2848 Richmond Highway. While the driver had no intentions of stopping, the minibike did. The rear tire flattened and the chain had popped off, rendering it disabled. That is when Deputy B.E. Vaughn arrived to assist and together they detained the driver.”

“The driver was identified as Gunther Raimund. Raimund was searched and was discovered to be in possession of controlled substances. Raimund was charged with eluding, possession of controlled substances, obstruction of justice, using an unauthorized motor vehicle on the highway, and inadequate tire tread. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $5,000 secured bond.”

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “On November 21st at approximately 11:30 p.m., Deputy S.A. Hensley responded to Musselman Road for a single vehicle accident. When Deputy Hensley arrived, he observed a vehicle partially in a ditch. The driver, later identified as Darcy Vasquez, was slumped over within the vehicle.”

“It was determined Vasquez began his trip off the road approximately 100 yards prior to where he stopped. During that time, both a mailbox and power pole were struck. When Vasquez woke up, he was unable to provide much information on what occurred due to his level of intoxication.”

“Vasquez was charged with driving under the influence third offense within ten years with a blood alcohol content above .2. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.”

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “On November 19th at approximately 2:31 a.m. Deputy S.A. Fulford responded to the intersection of Ferry Road and Hillcrest Terrace for a single vehicle crash. Deputy Fulford was first to arrive and located a vehicle halfway through a fence.”

“It was determined the vehicle was traveling South on Ferry Road at a high rate of speed when it crossed the center line and went off the road before brutally punching through the fence. Deputy Fulford made contact with the driver, identified as Katherine Watson, who advised she was traveling approximately 70MPH in a 35 MPH because she wanted to get home faster.”

“When the question of consuming alcohol was brought up, Watson admitted to consuming a long island iced tea at a business in Central Park. Due to her being under the age, Deputy Fulford inquired how she was able to purchase said alcohol. That is when Watson produced a fake drivers license. It was also determined the vehicle had an expired inspection sticker and the 17-year-old passenger was also intoxicated.”

“Watson was charged with driving under the influence with a child, underage driving under the influence, felony child endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of a fake license, failure to maintain proper control of her vehicle, reckless driving, underage purchase of alcohol, and the expired inspection sticker. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.”

DUIs continue to be a problem in the region. We’re now chronicling them here.

‘Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: “Sam’s Pizza, 432 Garrisonville Road, 11/18, 12:39 a.m. Deputy T.G. Croson was at the intersection of Garrisonville Road and Travis Lane when he observed a Mustang attempt to make a U-turn, but instead do a 360-degree slide. Deputy Croson conducted a traffic stop at the nearby pizza joint and made contact with the driver. The 20-year-old driver had clear signs of being intoxicated, a partly consumed Twisted Tea, and five empty Twisted Tea cans. The driver was charged with driving under the influence, drinking and driving, driving after illegally consuming alcohol, and refusal. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.”

Intersection of Richmond Highway and Garrisonville Road, 11/12, 3:18 a.m. First Sergeant M.R. Flick observed a vehicle stopped at the traffic light. When the vehicle failed to move through multiple green lights, Sergeant M.L. Jacobeen and Deputy J.A. Martin responded to assist in a possible DUI. The driver had clear signs of being intoxicated, including the strong perfume of an alcoholic beverage flowing from his mouth. He was charged with driving under the influence and stopping on a highway. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $3,000 secured bond.

Intersection of Hospital Center Boulevard and Old Potomac Church Road, 11/17, 3:46 p.m. Hospital staff called in regarding an intoxicated male refusing to leave the lobby. Deputy G.M. Lum happened to be in the area and observed the suspect as he left the hospital. As soon as Deputy Lum began chatting with the suspect, the suspect began to flee. The intoxicated runner did not get far in this turkey trot for Deputy Lum was able to catch up to him and detain him. He was charged with public intoxication and obstruction of justice. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail pending his ability to participate in a bond hearing.

TJ Maxx, 1260 Stafford Market Place, 11/17, 6:10 p.m. Sergeant R.S. Dominguez responded to a fight in the parking lot. When he arrived, he made contact with one of the described suspects who advised no fight occurred. While he advised that, he was unsure how much alcohol he consumed. Due to his level of intoxication he was charged with public intoxication and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Genesis Logistics, 705 Bradburn Place, 11/18, 5:32 a.m. Sergeant K.P. Lytle and Deputy C.S. Harding responded to an intoxicated person. Staff advised they wanted an employee to leave after showing up in an intoxicated state, but she was refusing to leave. Deputies made contact with the employee, who was in fact intoxicated. She was arrested for public intoxication and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

TJ Maxx, 1260 Stafford Market Place, 11/13, 7:15 a.m. Deputy J.L. Jones responded to an auto accident. The driver of the striking vehicle was currently asleep behind the wheel. After he was woken up, he was confused about what occurred despite his vehicle still touching the victim’s vehicle. Due to the driver impeding the investigation, he was charged with obstruction of justice and driving under the influence second offense within five to ten years. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Clarion Inn, 564 Warrenton Road, 11/12, 11:33 p.m. Sergeant M.E. Gordon observed a vehicle make an illegal U-turn over a median. Sergeant Gordon conducted a traffic stop as Deputy C.R. Newman responded to assist. The driver, now parked in two parking spots, advised he drank “too much but not enough”. He was correct about the too much part. He was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content between .15 and .2, as well as, making an illegal U-turn. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.