A man wanted in connection with a fatal crash in Nokesville has been arrested. On January 8, 2025, Prince William County Police apprehended James Francis Byrd, 62, of Woodbridge. Byrd faces charges of involuntary manslaughter – DUI related and DUI for his role in the crash that occurred on August 28, 2024, along Bristow Road near Windy Hill Drive.
Police reported that Byrd, the driver of a 2021 Toyota Tundra, had a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit at the time of the crash. The collision claimed the life of Thomas Spencer Stark, 63, of Nokesville, who was driving a 2003 Lexus GX. Byrd’s court date is pending, and bond information is unavailable.
The crash occurred at 6:24 p.m. on August 28, 2024, when Byrd’s eastbound Tundra crossed the center line into the westbound lane, colliding head-on with Stark’s vehicle, police said. The impact caused Stark’s Lexus to spin off the roadway and rest in a ditch. Stark was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Byrd sustained minor injuries and was also transported to a hospital for treatment.
Following the crash, investigators with the Prince William County Police Crash Investigation Unit issued arrest warrants for Byrd on December 11, 2024. Attempts to locate him were initially unsuccessful.
Two vehicles were traveling northbound at a high rate of speed when one of them, a 2013 BMW 650I, changed lanes and struck a 2020 Mercedes E-Class, which was not involved in the speeding. The Mercedes hit the guardrail, while the BMW struck the jersey wall, ejecting its driver. The Mercedes then struck the driver of the BMW.
The driver of the BMW, Kenneth D. Buckner, 35, of Washington, D.C., died at the scene. Police confirmed he was not wearing a seatbelt. A passenger in the BMW, Tyra Williams, 29, was partially ejected and sustained serious injuries. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The other vehicle traveling at a high speed is described as a dark-colored Infiniti sedan. It did not strike any vehicles. The crash remains under investigation.
Prince William County Police Report Roundup
Strong-Arm Robbery Arrest
A suspect involved in a strong-arm robbery that occurred on August 5, 2023, was arrested on December 3, 2024. Alexis Ayestas Romero, 31, of York Drive in Woodbridge, allegedly took keys forcefully from a 26-year-old woman following a verbal altercation. Romero has been charged with robbery, and court proceedings are pending.
Indecent Exposure and Indecent Liberties Arrest
In Woodbridge, police arrested Kieare Jeremiah Whitmore, 23, on December 16 for indecent exposure and indecent liberties. Officers were called to Anderson Court after a woman witnessed Whitmore exposing himself and making inappropriate gestures. An earlier incident on December 11 involved a juvenile and an adult victim. Whitmore faces two counts of indecent exposure and one count of indecent liberties and is being held on a $2,500 unsecured bond.
Attempted Residential Burglary in Manassas
An attempted residential burglary was reported in Manassas on December 16. Surveillance footage showed an unknown man entering a backyard on Lomond Drive and trying to gain access to the home through a rear door. The suspect fled after being confronted by a neighbor, and no property was taken.
Assault and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
Kenneth Robin Grey, 39, of Chantilly, was arrested on December 15 for assaulting a law enforcement officer. Officers located Grey inside a stolen vehicle in a parking lot on Daniel Stuart Square in Woodbridge. Grey allegedly resisted arrest, leading to a brief struggle in which he and an officer sustained minor injuries. Grey was charged with assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen goods, and obstruction of justice. He is being held without bond.
Press release:
Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash in Stafford County. The crash occurred Saturday (Nov. 16), at 4:04 a.m. on southbound Interstate 95 at the 146-mile marker.
A 2018 Volvo XC90 was traveling in the wrong direction on I95 when it collided head-on with a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The impact caused the Volvo to overturn.
The driver of the Volvo, Jibril N. Ibn Jeter, 48, of Fort Washington, Md., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Patrick C. Ledoux, 25, of Manassas, Va., died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt.
A passenger in the Chevrolet, a 28-year-old male from Manassas, Va., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Ibn Jeter has been charged with involuntary manslaughter; driving under the influence but continues to receive treatment at the hospital. Once he is released from the hospital he will be transported to the Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he will be held without bond. Additional charges are pending.
Three additional vehicles crashed while attempting to avoid a collision with the Volvo. One of those drivers was transported to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
It’s unknown where the Volvo entered I-95 traveling in the wrong direction.
All southbound travel lanes were closed for approximately 5 hours for the investigation and cleanup. VDOT assisted with the roadway closure and detour.
The crash remains under investigation.
Watch: This is the wrong way driver on I-95S between Quantico and Aquia early this morning that @VSPPIO say caused a crash that killed one person and seriously injured two others. The crash was near the 146 MM in Stafford County just after a.m. This video is from a traffic… pic.twitter.com/sUQXWpP1FC
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) November 17, 2024
Crash investigators obtained an arrest warrant on November 13 for Neil Jostin Stagnaro Riega, 30, of Meadowbrook Road in Woodbridge, charging him with involuntary manslaughter. Stagnaro Riega surrendered to authorities on November 15 and was held on a $4,000 secured bond.
The crash occurred on October 17 at 6:37 a.m. on Mapledale Avenue near Miles Court. Police say Stagnaro Riega was driving a 2020 Nissan Versa at more than 20 miles per hour over the posted 25 mph speed limit in a residential zone. His vehicle left the roadway, mounted the sidewalk, and struck Maria Isabel Cardozo, who was walking her dog at the time, police said. Cardozo was pronounced dead at the scene.
The dog was later found unharmed near Cardozo’s residence. Stagnaro Riega remained at the scene following the crash and was not injured. Investigators determined that alcohol and drugs were not factors in the incident.
Court proceedings for Stagnaro Riega are pending.
Virginia State Police are investigating two separate fatal crashes that occurred on Route 806 in Fauquier County, claiming the lives of a pedestrian and a motorcyclist. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as investigations continue.
Fatal Hit-and-Run on Elk Run Road
On Friday, November 8, at approximately 5:47 p.m., an adult male pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit-and-run on Route 806 (Elk Run Road) near Flippo Lane. The man was crossing the road when he was hit by a northbound SUV. Moments later, he was struck again by a second, unidentified southbound vehicle. Tragically, neither vehicle stopped at the scene, and the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
The initial striking vehicle is believed to be a late 1990s to early 2000s silver Nissan SUV with noticeable front-end damage. The second vehicle, currently unidentified, may also have sustained front-end damage. Virginia State Police are asking anyone with information to reach out to Senior Trooper J. Tanner at 540-347-6200 or email [email protected]. The crash remains under active investigation as authorities work to identify the vehicles involved.
Fatal Motorcycle Collision with SUV
Just days prior, on Saturday, November 2, another fatal collision occurred at 5:58 p.m. at the intersection of Route 806 (Elk Run Road) and Barnes Road. The crash involved a 2015 Moto Guzzi Griso motorcycle, which was traveling northbound on Route 806, and a westbound 2023 Acura RDX making a left turn onto Route 806.
The motorcycle rider, identified as 31-year-old Christopher V. Gresch from Manassas, Va., was killed in the crash. Despite wearing a helmet, Gresch succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The driver of the Acura, a 49-year-old woman from Catlett, Va., was uninjured and was wearing a seatbelt. Authorities have identified speed as a factor in this collision.
Both crashes remain under investigation.
From Prince William police:
Fatal Hit & Run Crash Investigation – On November 3 at 1:22AM, officers responded to the intersection of Prince William Pkwy and Lynn St. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate an unconscious man in the roadway. The investigation revealed the victim, a 51-year-old man, was believed to have been walking in the roadway of Prince William Pkwy when he was struck by an unknown vehicle which continued driving.
A passing motorist observed the pedestrian in the roadway contacted emergency services while rendering aid. The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital where he later died from his injuries. An autopsy confirmed the injuries sustained by the pedestrian were likely the result of being struck by a vehicle. No further information on the driver or striking vehicle is available at this time. Investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. The investigation continues.
Identified:
The deceased pedestrian was identified as Salvador Ernesto TORRES, 51, of Woodbridge
From the Spotsylvania County Sheirff’s Office:
On October 25, 2024 at 1:00am Sergeant R. Lewis located a single vehicle crash while on patrol in the 6600 block of Lawyers Rd. The vehicle was traveling east on Lawyers Rd when it lost control striking a guardrail then overturned down an embankment.
The driver and sole occupant, of the 1999 Honda Accord was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver was identified as Michael Mitchell Jr., 49 of Louisa County.
The crash is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. Mitchell.
On October 26, 2024 at 2:45pm deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash in the area of Courthouse Road bypass and Old Battlefield Blvd. involving multiple vehicles.
Preliminary investigation and witness accounts show that a 2006 GMC pickup driven by a 28-year-old Spotsylvania County man who was towing a utility trailer with mulch was traveling east on Courthouse Rd bypass when it struck the rear of a 2016 RAV 4 SUV driven by a 61-year-old female from Staunton, VA. The GMC pickup pushed the RAV4 several hundred feet down the road before dislodging.
The pickup continued east on the parkway and then crossed the center median striking several trees before it went into oncoming traffic and struck a 2012 Honda Civic head-on. The impact caused the Honda to overturn.
The driver of the Honda, a 68-year-old female from Spotsylvania was transported to an area trauma center in critical condition. The passenger of the Honda died at the scene and was identified as Mary Francis Carter, 91 years-of age also from Spotsylvania.
The driver of the RAV 4 was transported to an area hospital, treated and released. The driver of the GMC pickup is in serious condition and being treated at a trauma center in Richmond, VA.
The crash is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team. No charges have been placed at this time and will be reviewed at the completion of the investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those involved.
From Prince William police:
Fatal Crash Investigation – On October 8 at 7:58AM, crash investigators responded to the area of the Prince William Pkwy and Clover Hill Rd [near] Manassas (20110) to investigate a single vehicle crash. The investigation revealed the driver of a 1999 Ford Mustang was traveling westbound on the Prince William Pkwy when the vehicle left the roadway and proceeded up an embankment before coming to rest on top of a guardrail. The driver is believed to have suffered a medical emergency and was transported to an area hospital where he later died on October 16. No other occupants were in the vehicle.
Identified:
The driver of the 1999 Ford Mustang was identified as Christopher Cary SOTO, 72, of Woodbridge
Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal incident involving a tractor trailer on Interstate 95. The driver was found dead after the vehicle overturned on the roadway.
Press Release from Virginia State Police:
Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal tractor trailer crash that occurred this morning (Oct. 17, 2024) at 4:23 a.m. on Interstate 95 northbound at the 155-mile marker. Virginia State Police were initially called for a report of a pedestrian that had been stuck on the interstate. Upon arrival, troopers did locate an individual deceased in the roadway. Troopers were also alerted to a tractor trailer that had overturned a short distance away. Troopers were eventually able to identify the deceased person as the driver of the tractor trailer. The investigation shows the tractor trailer went onto the left shoulder of Interstate 95 northbound, then swerved backed onto the roadway, and the driver was thrown from the vehicle. The tractor trailer then continued northbound and struck a ditch and overturned. The identification of the driver is pending next of kin notification.
