A 63-year-old Nokesville man died after his 2003 Lexus GX was struck head-on by a 2021 Toyota Tundra that crossed the center line on Bristow Rd. Near Windy Hill Dr., the investigation continues, with speed ruled out as a factor for the Toyota driver.

From Prince William police:

Fatal Crash Investigation – On August 28 at 6:24PM, officers responded to the area of Bristow Rd. near Windy Hill Dr. in Nokesville (20181) to investigate a crash. The investigation revealed the driver of a 2021 Toyota Tundra was traveling eastbound on Bristow Rd. when the vehicle crossed over the center line and into the westbound lane of travel striking a 2003 Lexus GX in a head-on collision. The impact of the crash caused the Lexus to spin off of the roadway and come to a rest in the ditch while the Tundra remained on the roadway. The driver and sole occupant of the Lexus was transported to an area hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the collision. The driver and sole occupant of the Tundra was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries. Investigators determined that speed, was not a factor for the driver of the Tundra. The investigation continues.

Identified:
The deceased driver of the 2003 Lexus GX was identified as Thomas Spencer STARK, 63, of Nokesville

The driver of the 2021 Toyota Tundra was identified as a 61-year-old man of Woodbridge

*MISSING ENDANGERED JUVENILE: The Prince William County Police Department is asking for the public's help locating Maritza AMBROCIO-CHAVEZ, who was last seen leaving her home on Willoughby Ln. in the Manassas area of Prince William County around 9:00 a.m. on August 28. Maritza also sent concerning messages to family members and drove away from the residence in a 2013 Black Nissan Altima with Virginia license plates: TKX-4762, on the morning of August 28. Maritza is believed to be missing under voluntary circumstances and may be in need of assistance which qualifies her as being listed as endangered. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this person is asked to contact Prince William County police at 703-792-6500 or your local police department.

Maritza AMBROCIO-CHAVEZ, is described as a Hispanic female, 17 years of age, 5’3”, 125lbs with black hair, pierced ears, brown eyes, and scars on her arms and thighs

She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt outlined with green, and red/green Christmas-style pants.

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On August 24, officers responded to multiple residential shootings in Woodbridge, where gunfire struck homes on Yawl Court, Lost Colony Drive, and Minnie Court, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old man, who faces charges including nine counts of attempted aggravated malicious wounding and three counts each of shooting into an occupied dwelling and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, with no reported injuries or additional property damage.

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Area police have a message for the public: Slow down in school zones because school is back in session. Prince William County Police officers were out in force this week to encourage motorists to slow down in the posted school zones.

Lt. Jonathan Perok said, “School zone safety is a serious concern that impacts students, school staff, parents, and the broader community. Enforcement in these areas is one-way police can assist in ensuring the speed through these zones during critical times is followed. Drivers and pedestrians alike are urged to follow posted signs, avoid distractions, and plan extra time in their commute, especially during this transitional back-to-school period.”

In the hour Prince William motor officers conducted traffic enforcement, Perok noted that 10 traffic citations were issued.

Prince William County motorcycle Officers Shawn Gallagher and Anthony Lynch did their due diligence by driving by all the school zone signs in the zone near Piney Branch Elementary School in Nokesville to ensure signs in all directions were visible and illuminated before beginning enforcement actions.
Potomac Local News interviewed two alleged school zone speeders as they left their traffic stops. Both said they weren’t paying attention but were distracted by construction on the road even though the school zone signs were visible and flashing.

Neither driver was willing to identify themselves, but one accepted that the charges were valid, saying he was on his way to the gym just past the school and simply wasn’t paying attention to the sign on a road he travels daily. The other driver, a woman, was forced to walk away from the traffic stop due to her expired registration and police seizing her license plates. Officers did not tow her car but advised her to fix the registration and other deficiencies before driving.

At Penn Elementary School in Dale City, a parent handbook advises parents wishing to avoid the drop-off lines that it’s better to wait in line than drop off students because the crosswalk is a “significant safety concern.” However, acknowledging the school has “many walkers,” it is crucial for parents to follow proper drop-off procedures to ensure student safety.

The vigilance by Prince William police in enforcing traffic safety laws in school zones is underscored by tragic incidents in recent years. In 2019, a 16-year-old driver struck and killed a 67-year-old woman in front of Graham Park Middle School in Dumfries on a Friday morning.
In 2021, two separate instances resulted in the deaths of two 13-year-olds who were killed while crossing James Madison Highway in front of Battlefield High School.

Drivers who violate the school zone law face stiff penalties. In addition to the average cost of the speeding ticket, violators are assessed an additional $250 fine because the speeding took place in a school zone. A 2020 Virginia law allows jurisdictions to install automated speed cameras in school zones, although the penalties for automated devices are governed separately from speed enforcement by sworn officers.

Many schools have electronic school zone signs that flash yellow lights to warn drivers 30 minutes before school starts for one full hour. They turn on again in the afternoon when schools release and remain on 30 minutes after.

As students throughout the area return to school, Prince William County Police remind the community that school zone safety is a shared responsibility. By following posted speed limits, avoiding distractions, and allowing extra time for commutes, drivers can help protect the lives of students and other members of the community. The police will continue their enforcement efforts throughout the school year to ensure that these critical safety measures are observed.

The Prince William County Police Department will host a community fair on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, from noon to 4 p.m. at Sean Connaughton Plaza in Woodbridge. The event will feature displays, activities, food trucks, and opportunities to meet with recruiters, all aimed at celebrating the county’s diversity and fostering unity.

From Prince William police:

The Prince William County Police Department will host a community fair on  Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, to celebrate the county’s diversity, to embrace unity among the various  communities in the county and showcase the many facets of police work in the county with displays, fun  activities, appointments with a recruiter, pet adoptions and much more. 

The event is from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sean  

Connaughton Plaza, 1 County Complex Court,  

Woodbridge, VA 22192. County residents are  

cordially invited to the community fair, which also  

will feature displays from numerous County public 

safety agencies and other County government  

organizations, live music and food trucks. 

Background investigators and recruiters will be  

present to speak to anyone interested in a career as a police officer. The Department is committed to a  diverse workforce and encourages all interested applicants to contact the Prince William County Police  Personnel Bureau at (703) 792-6580 or visit the Department’s recruiting website at www.joinpwcpd.org. 

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.

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The Prince William County Police Department is urgently seeking public assistance to locate Caleb Anthony Beer, a missing endangered adult last contacted on April 6, known to frequent areas in Culpeper, Stafford, Woodbridge, and Dumfries, with his safety currently in question due to undisclosed reasons.

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Officers responded to a stabbing at Elevations One Apartments in Woodbridge, where a 33-year-old woman was stabbed in the arm while attempting to intervene in a fight between two women, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries.

From Prince William police:

Stabbing Investigation – On August 22 at 9:59AM, officers responded to the Elevations One Apartments located in the 10400 block of Bellona Rd. in Woodbridge (22191) to investigate a stabbing. The investigation revealed the victim, a 33-year-old woman, attempted to intervene in a physical fight between two unknown women. During the encounter, the victim was stabbed in the arm by one of the women before the parties separated. The victim was treated at an area hospital for a non-life threatening injury where police were contacted. The suspects were described as black females, approximately 5’8”, with small builds.

Officers responded to an armed robbery at Castro Bakery on Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge where an unidentified man implied he had a weapon, stole money from the register, and fled; no weapon was seen, and no injuries were reported.

Press release:

Armed Robbery — On August 21 at 3:42PM, officers responded to Castro Bakery located at 14556 Potomac Mills Rd. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed an unknown man entered the bakery and implied he had a weapon before walking behind the service counter. The employees ran out of the store and contacted the police. The suspect took money from the cash register before leaving the business. No weapon was seen, and no injuries were reported.

Suspect Description:
A man, approximately 5’7”, with a medium build, with light brown hair
Last seen wearing a green “Jets” baseball-style cap, a white/black/orange jacket, dark-colored pants,
blue gloves, and black shoes