The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has announced a sustained increase in ridership through August 2024, reflecting a growing reliance on public transit amid various operational challenges, including service reductions and fare adjustments.
In August 2024, PRTC experienced an average daily ridership of 2,753 passengers, a 22% increase compared to last year. This rise comes despite significant service cuts implemented at the end of July and a $2 fare increase at the start of the month. Even a tropical storm at the beginning of August failed to significantly deter passengers, underscoring the essential role of PRTC in the daily lives of many in the region, said OmniRide CEO Dr. Robert A. “Bob” Schneider.
Throughout the summer months of June, July, and August, PRTC has seen a 15% year-over-year increase in ridership. Specifically, in June, the ridership figures stood at 161,071 total passengers, up from 146,952 in June of the previous year. This growth was supported by a consistent service performance across various routes, with notable increases reported particularly on the busiest lines, said Schneider.
The ‘Express’ services, which connect commuters from outlying areas to major employment centers, accounted for a substantial portion of the ridership, with 76,733 passengers in June 2024 alone, up from 65,933 in June 2023. Schnieder adds that this service segment is committed to facilitating efficient and reliable connections for daily commuters.
The ‘Local’ routes, catering to more localized travel, especially in eastern Prince William County, maintained robust figures with 59,201 riders in June 2024, only slightly up from 58,628 in the previous year.
On September 13, a head-on collision occurred on Caton Hill Road in Lake Ridge when a 2017 Toyota Camry, traveling in the wrong direction, collided with a 2015 Toyota Corolla. The passenger in the Camry, 23-year-old Elvis Gabriel Alvarez of Alexandria, later died at the hospital. Both drivers, a 21-year-old woman from Springfield and a 67-year-old woman from Woodbridge, were seriously injured. Investigators are seeking witnesses to the crash or the Camry’s driving behavior before the incident.
Press release:
Fatal Crash Investigation – On September 13 at 6:07AM, crash investigators responded to the area of Caton Hill Rd near Killarney Dr in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a crash. The investigation revealed the driver of a black 4-door 2017 Toyota Camry was traveling the opposite direction northbound in the southbound lanes when the vehicle collided head-on with a 2015 Toyota Corolla that was traveling southbound. Both occupants in the Camry were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The passenger in the Camry was transported to an area hospital where he later died from his injuries sustained in the collision. Both drivers were also transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. Crash investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, or the driving behavior of the driver in the black 4-door 2017 Toyota Camry involved in the collision, to contact police. The investigation continues.
Identified:
The deceased passenger in the 2017 Toyota Camry was identified as Elvis Gabriel ALVAREZ, 23, of Alexandria
The driver of the 2017 Toyota Camry was identified as a 21-year-old woman of Springfield
The driver of the 2015 Toyota Corolla was identified as 67-year-old woman of Woodbridge
A fatal crash investigation is underway following an incident on September 5 at 3:27 p.m. in Woodbridge, near Old Bridge Road and Occoquan roads. A 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle, operated by 23-year-old Melanie Ruby Morales of Woodbridge, was traveling at high speed when she lost control and slid under a 2009 Roll-off Dumpster truck.
Morales, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck, a 56-year-old man from Triangle, remained on-site and was uninjured. Speed was determined to be a factor in the crash. Investigators are seeking witnesses as the investigation continues.
Press release:
Fatal Crash Investigation – 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.
Identified:
The deceased operator was identified as Melanie Ruby MORALES, 23, of Woodbridge
The driver of the Roll-off Dumpster truck was identified as a 56-year-old man of Triangle
Prince William County
Lake Ridge Marina and Splashdown Water Park, near Manassas, are closed today due to severe weather conditions. Active tornado warnings and watches, combined with the forecast of high winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding, have prompted the closures.
Camps at Lake Ridge, Silver Lake, and Wingapo have also been canceled for the day. Camps at other locations will continue as scheduled.
The severe weather results from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, which is currently moving through the region. The storm has brought significant rainfall and high winds, leading to multiple tornado warnings being issued overnight. As of the morning of August 9, 2024, a tornado watch remains in effect until 2 p.m. for several counties and independent cities across Virginia.
Email news@potomaclocal.com or text us at 571-989-1695 about your closures.
Friday, Aug 9 – Due to active tornado warnings/watches, the forecast for wind, continued heavy rainfall, and flooding, Lake Ridge, Silver Lake and Wingapo camps are all canceled. Camps at all other locations will operate as scheduled.
Lake Ridge Park Marina is also closed. pic.twitter.com/Fdu28QVHrH
— PWC Parks & Recreation (@PWCParks) August 9, 2024
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Gabriel Rene Ramirez, 22, on August 1 at a Bromley Court home in Lake Ridge reveals that, following a report of suicidal threats and armed behavior, SWAT Team members shot the man who had been barricaded inside a home after he pointed a firearm at officers and nearby townhomes, with only one officer firing a single round, resulting in his death.
Press release:
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation *INVESTIGATIVE DETAILS – As the investigation into the officer-involved shooting that occurred at a residence located in the 3000 block of Bromley Ct in [Lake Ridge] (22192) on August 1 progresses, preliminary details are being released to keep our community informed of the events leading up to the encounter.
At approximately 8:21PM, an out of state family member called to report concerns over suicidal statements made by a loved one, later identified as the deceased. The caller relayed that their loved one wanted to end their life and expressed concerns that the individual was possibly armed. Officers initially responded to the loved one’s home on Caledonia Cir in Woodbridge where he was not immediately located.
A short time later, officers located the individual at the home of an acquaintance nearby on Bromley Ct. where he was eventually found in the backyard of the residence in an agitated state armed with a handgun. Members of the department’s Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) Team and Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Team were deployed, and the incident remained contained to the backyard of the home. Over the course of several hours, members of the Crisis Negotiation Unit, in addition to an on-site Community Services clinician, attempted numerous times for the individual’s safe surrender.
Teams also attempted to relay messages from loved ones which were unsuccessful in resolving the situation. Due to the individual’s behavior, an Emergency Custody Order was obtained. At approximately 5:30AM, the individual pointed the firearm in the direction of officers and occupied townhomes in the vicinity before being shot in the upper body by a member of the SWAT Team. The individual was pronounced dead on scene. Preliminarily, only one officer discharged their weapon and only one round was fired during the encounter.
The involved officer has 4.5 years of service, assigned to uniform patrol operations and as a part-time member of the SWAT Team. The investigation into the incident continues to be led by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Additional details will be released as more information becomes available. The involved officer in the shooting was placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Anyone who may have information that can aid in the investigation is asked to contact the police.
Identified:
The deceased was identified as Gabriel Rene RAMIREZ, 22, of Woodbridge
Prince William police:
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation – On July 31 at 8:21PM, officers initially responded to a residence located in the 3400 block of Caledonia Cir in [Lake Ridge] (22192) for a report of a suicidal individual. A short time later, officers located the individual at an acquaintance’s residence in the nearby 3000 block of Bromley Ct. where he was found to be armed. The incident was contained, and over the course of the evening, officers attempted numerous times for the individual’s safe surrender. This morning, August 1, around 5:30 a.m., officers engaged the individual who was shot and killed. No officers or other community members were injured during the incident which remains contained. There is no active threat to the surrounding community. The deceased has been preliminarily identified as a 22-year-old man of Woodbridge. The Prince William County Police Department, at the request of Chief Peter Newsham, has requested the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to oversee the investigation as an independent body. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
Summit School Road Extension
Following a groundbreaking ceremony, Lake Ridge’s Summit School Road project is now underway and marks the county’s infrastructure development. This 1.2-mile extension stretches from Kinnicutt Drive to Telegraph Road and will be transformed into a four-lane divided roadway. The project will widen Telegraph Road from Caton Hill Road to Prince William Parkway, increasing it from two to four lanes. Enhancements include a raised grass median, a five-foot sidewalk, and a ten-foot shared-use path to accommodate additional pedestrian traffic.
In addition to this project, the Horner Road Commuter Lot, already the largest in Virginia, will expand with 57 new parking spaces. County officials said this extension alleviates congestion and improves mobility along Minnieville Road.
The project, which had a $40 million budget, received $38 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and $2 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for the commuter lot expansion. Kimley-Horn and Associates handled the design, initiated in December 2019, while Sagres Construction Corporation undertook the construction starting in June 2024.
Neabsco Mills Road Widening
The Neabsco Mills Road Widening Project spans the Neabsco and Woodbridge Magisterial Districts in Woodbridge. This project improved and widened Neabsco Mills Road from Smoke Court to Route 1, transforming it into a four-lane divided roadway with pedestrian facilities on both sides. The project also enhanced the intersection at Neabsco Mills and Route 1 and adjusted the road’s alignment to meet current design standards.
With a budget of $34.3 million, the project was fully funded through federal, state, regional, and local sources, including $8.9 million from NVTA 30% funding. Rinker Design Associates (RDA) began the design phase in June 2017, and Sagres Construction Corporation commenced construction in October 2022.
The improved roadway and pedestrian facilities significantly enhance access to key local sites such as Freedom High School, Northern Virginia Community College’s Woodbridge Campus, and various retail, hospitality, and residential areas.
These projects are part of Prince William County’s broader transportation capital improvement program, which exceeds $1.3 billion and includes various multimodal projects. These initiatives range from sidewalk and traffic safety projects to major interchanges and road widening, all aimed at enhancing transportation infrastructure across the county.
The projects follow the opening of a new interchange at Prince William Parkway, Dumfries, and Brentsville Roads outside Manassas.
Correction: An earlier version of this article reported that the Summitt School Road project was completed.
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.
On Tuesday, June 25, at 10:40 p.m., officers responded to Tackett’s Mill Shopping Mall in the 2200 block of Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge. The response was to investigate a shots fired call.
The investigation revealed that two victims, a 22-year-old male and a 21-year-old female, were in the parking lot when a black SUV drove by and fired BB or other pellet-type rounds from the vehicle, striking both victims. No injuries were reported. No additional injuries or property damage were reported.
Felony Child Neglect in Woodbridge
On Wednesday, June 26, at 2 p.m., officers responded to the 11700 block of Chanceford Dr. in Woodbridge to investigate a found child.
The investigation revealed that a 2-year-old boy, was left unattended for one hour by a family member. A Good Samaritan found the child outside unsupervised. The child did not appear injured and was released to the custody of known parties, police said.
Elizabeth Carol Powell, 64, of the 11700 block of Chanceford Dr. in Woodbridge, was arrested and charged with felony child neglect. Her court date is pending, and her bond is unavailable.
Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement Officer
On Tuesday, June 25, a woman sought in connection to an assault on an officer on June 21 was arrested. The incident occurred in Saxophone Way and Bel Air Road in Woodbridge.
On June 21, at 7:42 p.m., officers observed the woman, who had arrest warrants, in Saxophone Way and Bel Air Road in Woodbridge. When officers attempted to detain her, she resisted and ran. After a short foot pursuit, officers temporarily detained Garcia, who continued to resist and refused to follow commands. During the encounter, Garcia struck an officer, allowing her to flee the area, police said.
The officer reported minor injuries from the incident.
Alejandra Yvette Garcia, 22, of 14782 Candlewood Ct. in Woodbridge, is charged with assault and battery on a law enforcement officer and obstruction of justice. Her court date is pending, and she is held without bond.
