Police charged the driver of a 2009 Mack roll-off truck involved in a fatal crash on September 5 in Woodbridge. The crash occurred near Old Bridge Rd. and Occoquan Road, where 23-year-old Melanie Ruby Morales, operating a 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle, lost control and was run over by the truck. Investigators determined that both excessive speed on the part of Morales and the truck driver’s failure to maintain his lane contributed to the accident. The truck driver, 56-year-old Kojo Essandoh of Triangle, was charged with failure to maintain lane and has been released on a court summons.

From Prince William police:

Fatal Crash Investigation *DRIVER CHARGED – On October 9, crash investigators obtained a court summons for a traffic violation citing the driver of the 2009 Mack roll-off truck in the fatal collision that occurred in the area of Old Bridge Rd near Occoquan Rd in Woodbridge (22192) on September 5. The investigation revealed the driver of the truck, identified as the accused, failed to maintain his lane which contributed to the collision that killed a 23-year-old Woodbridge woman who was operating a 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle. At the time of the collision, the deceased was traveling at a high rate of speed which was also a contributing factor in the crash. Following the investigation, investigators obtained a summons for the accused, identified as Kojo ESSANDOH, who was served on October 15.

Charged on October 15: [No photo available]

Kojo ESSANDOH, 56, of 3940 Towns Square Ct in Triangle

Charged with failure to maintain lane

Court Date: Pending | Status: Released on Court Summons

Identified:

The deceased operator was identified as Melanie Ruby MORALES, 23, of Woodbridge

Fatal Crash Investigation [Previously Released] – On September 5 at 3:27PM, officers responded to the area of Old Bridge Rd. near Occoquan Rd. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a crash involving a motorcycle. The investigation revealed the operator of a 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling westbound on Old Bridge Rd. approaching Occoquan Rd. at a high rate of speed when the operator lost control and separated from the motorcycle before sliding under and being run over by a 2009 Roll-off Dumpster truck. The motorcycle operator was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Mack truck remained at the scene and was not injured. Investigators determined speed was a factor in the collision. Crash investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. The investigation continues.

On Tuesday, October 1 at 2:11 p.m., crash investigators responded to a fatal accident on the I-66 express exit ramp near University Blvd. in Gainesville.

A 2023 Audi Q5, driven by a 75-year-old man from Sterling, failed to slow down or turn while exiting toward University Blvd., leading the vehicle to cross all lanes and crash into a concrete barrier. Both passengers, Alfredo Rodolfo Sobrero, 90, from Sterling, and Liliana Nora Loschiavo Sierra, 67, from Woodbridge, succumbed to their injuries after being taken to local hospitals. The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing, and witnesses are urged to contact the police.

Press release:

Double Fatality Crash Investigation – On October 1 at 2:11PM, investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit responded to the westbound I-66 express exit ramp near University Blvd. in Gainesville (20155) to investigate a single-vehicle crash. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2023 Audi Q5 was traveling westbound on I-66 in the express lanes and took the exit towards University Blvd. As the vehicle neared the end of the ramp, the driver failed to slow or turn onto University Blvd. The vehicle continued straight through the intersection, crossing all travel lanes before colliding with the concrete barrier. Both passengers in the vehicle were transported to area hospitals where they died from their injuries. The driver of the vehicle was treated at an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Both the driver and the front passenger were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash is still underway. Investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. The investigation continues.

Identified:

The driver of the 2023 Audi Q5 was identified as a 75-year-old man of Sterling

The deceased front passenger in the 2023 Audi Q5 was identified as Alfredo Rodolfo SOBRERO, 90, of Sterling

The deceased rear passenger in the 2023 Audi Q5 was identified as Liliana Nora Loschiavo SIERRA, 67, of Woodbridge

Police are investigating a fatal incident where a vehicle, found engulfed in flames at the intersection of Old Bridge Rd. and Occoquan Rd. in Woodbridge, had a driver who died at the scene after allegedly placing gasoline in the passenger compartment before the crash; the investigation is ongoing.

From Prince William police:

Death Investigation – On August 23 at 6:50PM, officers responded to the intersection of Old Bridge Rd. and Occoquan Rd. in Woodbridge (22193) for initial reports of a vehicle crash. Upon arrival one vehicle was located engulfed in flames. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene. Preliminary investigation revealed the deceased had placed gasoline in the passenger compartment of their vehicle just prior to the crash, causing the fire inside of the vehicle. The fire, as well as the cause and manner of death, is still under investigation. The identity of the deceased will be released pending identification and next-of-kin notification. More information will be released when available. Anyone who may have information that can aid in the investigation is asked to contact the police. The investigation continues.

Updated 3:50 p.m. — Here are the latest police reports from around the area.

Montclair
A 37-year-old man has died after he was struck in a hit-and-run at the Oasis at Montclair Apartment complex in Dumfries on July 20, when an unknown suspect stole his gold Lexus SUV, ran him over and fled the scene—photos in the slideshow above.

Felony Hit & Run – On July 20 at 6:53PM, officers responded to the Oasis at Montclair Apartment complex located in the 16400 block of Stedham Cl. in Dumfries (22025) to investigate a hit and run crash. The investigation revealed the victim, a 37-year-old man, was approached by an unknown individual while he was outside of his vehicle. At one point during the encounter, the suspect got into the victim’s vehicle, a gold Lexus SUV, and began to drive in reverse. The victim grabbed onto the vehicle before the SUV struck a separate unoccupied vehicle before moving forward. As the SUV continued forward, the victim was thrown off and subsequently run over. The suspect drove the stolen SUV out of the area prior to police arriving on the scene. The victim was treated at an area hospital for life-threatening injuries. The investigation continues as detectives attempt to identify and locate the suspect.

Identified:
The deceased pedestrian was identified as Jose VASQUEZ GALVAN, 37, of Dumfries

Vehicle Description:
A 1999 Gold Lexus RX 300 with Virginia license plate: TUW8710
With damage to the rear left bumper area, taillight assembly, and possibly the rear left rim, and two ‘Baby on board’ stickers on the rear of the vehicle

Stafford

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning on Warrenton Road—photos in the slideshow above.

On July 21st at approximately 12:13 a.m. Deputy C.A. Osborne responded to the area of Warrenton Road and Village Parkway for a shooting. The victim advised his vehicle was shot while traveling home. Luckily, the victim was not injured.

Deputies discovered the victim was traveling on Warrenton Road in the area of Plantation Drive and Village Parkway when he noticed a motorcyclist. The victim would merge into the left lane causing the motorcyclist to swerve onto the shoulder. When the victim and motorcyclist stopped at a red light, the motorcyclist would get off his bike and approach the victim. Before words were exchanged, the traffic light turned green and the victim drove off. That is when he heard two “pops.” When the victim arrived home, he would discover his vehicle had two bullet holes in it.

Detectives were notified of the shooting and began their investigation. The motorcyclist was described as wearing a black and white motorcycle jacket with a white helmet. The bike was described as a sports bike. If anyone has any information, please contact Detective K.A. Lawrence at 540-658-4450.

Woodbridge

On July 21 at 5:35 AM in Woodbridge, a black Honda Civic fired shots at a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old man and woman, who sustained minor injuries from shattered glass as they tried to escape, eventually stopping at a local business while the suspect vehicle fled.

Shooting Investigation – On July 21 at 5:35AM, officers responded to the area of Smoketown Rd. and Purdham Dr. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a shots fired call. The investigation revealed the victims, a 19-year-old man and woman, were driving in the above area when an occupant in a black Honda Civic fired at their vehicle. When the victim attempted to drive away, the Civic followed and fired additional rounds as the vehicles traveled along Old Bridge Rd. near Smoketown Rd. Eventually, the victims stopped at a local business while the suspect vehicle continued driving away. The victims reported minor injuries from shattered glass. No additional injuries or property damage were reported.

A man was struck and killed on the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes this morning in Lake Ridge.

At 6:17 a.m. Tuesday (July 9, 2024), Virginia State Police responded to a crash on Interstate 95 Express Lanes at the 160 mile marker in Prince William County. At this stage of the investigation, it appears an SUV traveling north in the Express Lanes pulled off onto the right shoulder due to mechanical issues. Both the driver and a passenger exited the vehicle when a Ford F-150 pickup truck veered onto the shoulder and struck the male passenger/pedestrian and the disabled SUV. The driver of the SUV and the Ford were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The passenger of the SUV died at the scene. State police is still in the process of notifying next of kin. The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.

On Wednesday, June 16, at 11:02 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Old Bridge Road and Harbor Drive in Lake Ridge to investigate a crash. The investigation, conducted by Prince William police, revealed that the driver of a 2001 Ford F150 pickup truck was traveling westbound on Old Bridge Road approaching the intersection with Harbor Drive when a 2020 Ford Edge traveling eastbound on Old Bridge Road entered the intersection in front of the truck’s path of travel. The truck and Edge collided within the intersection.

Both drivers and passengers in the vehicles were taken to the hospital. On June 27, crash investigators were notified that the male passenger who was injured in the Edge died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash. All other involved parties are expected to survive. Investigators determined that speed, alcohol, and drugs were not factors for the driver. At the time of the collision, the driver of the Edge, identified as Doris Ann Grosskopf, was charged. The investigation continues.

Doris Ann Grosskopf, 82, of the 12100 block of Clipper Drive in Woodbridge, is charged with failure to follow a traffic signal. She is due in court on August 26, 2024, and was released on a court summons.

The deceased passenger in the 2020 Ford Edge was identified as John Richard Gerald Grosskopf, 88, of Woodbridge.

The driver of the 2001 Ford F150 was identified as a 44-year-old man from Hyattsville, Md.

The passenger in the 2001 Ford F150 was identified as an 18-year-old man from Hyattsville, Md.

Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Friday, June 21, 2024, at 2:29 p.m. on Interstate 66 westbound at the 46-mile marker in Prince William County.

A disabled 2019 Hyundai Tucson had pulled off the interstate onto the right shoulder. A 2018 Isuzu NPR HD truck, traveling westbound on Interstate 66, departed the right side of the interstate and collided with the disabled Tucson. The Tucson struck the jersey wall and was pushed approximately 400 feet along the shoulder.

Two passengers in the Tucson, Krystal Akers, 27, of Dublin, Va., and an 11-year-old female, succumbed to their injuries at an area hospital. The 51-year-old driver of the Tucson, of Dublin, Va., suffered serious injuries, as did a three-month-old infant in the vehicle. Another 55-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries.

The driver of the Isuzu truck, a 26-year-old man from Hyattsville, Md., suffered minor injuries, while a passenger, a 23-year-old man, suffered severe injuries. Charges are pending, and the crash remains under investigation by Virginia State Police.

An accident on Interstate 66 near Gainesville resulted in the death of one person this afternoon. At 2:16 p.m., Virginia State Police troopers were dispatched to the collision scene on the westbound lanes at Exit 47, Prince William Parkway.

The crash involved a disabled vehicle that had stopped on the highway. According to initial reports, the stationary vehicle was struck by a second car traveling westbound. The force of the collision led to at least one fatality.

Emergency responders arrived promptly, and the scene was secured for an investigation and clean-up. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.

More as we have it.