The Prince William County Police Department is sounding the alarm over the increase in pedestrian-related crashes in 2024.

Find more in a Prince William Police Department press release:

From January 1 to February 29, 2024, the police department investigated 17 pedestrian-related crashes, three of which were fatal. The total number of pedestrian-related crashes in 2024 is 55% higher than those seen year-to-date in both 2023 and 2022 and close to if not more than double seen in 2021 and 2020.

In 2024, pedestrian-related crashes have shown to occur more in the morning, during the 6 a.m. hour, and the evening between the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. hours. During the week, Thursdays have seen the highest number of pedestrian-related crashes.

Five year analysis: Pedestrian-related crashes:

Over the last five years, between 2019 and 2023, there were close to 22,000 reportable crashes along roadways in Prince William County. While pedestrian-related crashes overall accounted for only approximately 1.6% of total crashes during that timeframe, crashes resulting in a death and, specifically those amongst pedestrians, were about one in three, or 30% of total fatalities.

2023 analysis: Pedestrian-related crashes
In 2023, there were 87 pedestrian-related crashes in Prince William County, up 10.1% from 79 in 2022. While fatal pedestrian-related crashes fell 45.5% from a historic high of 11 in 2022 to 6 in 2023, the police department has investigated two fatal pedestrian crashes so far in 2024, both attributing to actions of the pedestrian as the cause. Overall, in 2023, the height of pedestrian crashes occurred in the fourth quarter of the year, totaling 28 or about 32.2%. The highest number occurred in October at 15, followed by May totaling 11.

The police department is urging both drivers and pedestrians to follow traffic laws and best practices to avoid meeting, if not exceeding, the number of pedestrian-related crashes this year. The number of pedestrian-related crashes in 2023 showed a considerable concentration in densely populated areas and along busy corridors, such as Richmond Highway, Old Bridge Road, and Sudley Road, where best practices are especially needed.

Best practices for drivers and pedestrians

• Following all traffic laws.
• Planning time and a route ahead of leaving your home.
• Obeying all posted signs and signals.
• Limiting phone and other distractions.
• Avoiding impairments such as alcohol and drugs, and for pedestrians specifically, dressing to be seen.
• Keeping out of the roadway unless legally crossing in a designated area such as a crosswalk.

Learn more helpful tips by visiting pwcva.gov/trafficsafety.

Prince William police: Officers responded to investigate a dog found at C. Lacey Compton Neighborhood Park located at 17301 River Ridge Blvd. in Woodbridge (22191) at 10:30 am on March 2.

The investigation revealed an extremely emaciated dog was left at the park by an unknown man who then drove away in a newer model white Range Rover. A Good Samaritan took the dog to the PWC Animal Services Center, where the dog, identified as a male mixed-breed Hound dog between 6 and 12 months old, received medical care and is resting comfortably now.

PWC Animal Services is seeking assistance from the public on identifying the dog and information about the events leading up to the dog being left on the morning of March 2. Anyone with information please contact Prince William County Police on their tipline 703-792-7000.

Suspect Description: A black male with a heavy build, last seen wearing a black leather jacket with an unknown motorcycle club emblem.

Stafford County

ARSON
Rodney Thompson Middle School, 75 Walpole Street, 2/29, 1:30 p.m.
Fire Marshal D.M. Pappas responded to an arson call at Rodney Thompson Middle School. Staff reported camera footage from 2/27 showing a student igniting personal items. The student was found with the lighter and faces criminal charges.

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Authorities have apprehended the suspect linked to a reported sexual assault in Dale City. Identified as Alexander Maximiliano Soto Hernandez, 42, of Dale City, the individual was taken into custody on February 27 in North Plainfield Borough, New Jersey.

Soto Hernandez faces charges including two counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of forcible sodomy, and one count of abduction with intent to defile. His court date is pending, and he remains incarcerated.

The incident, which occurred on February 26 at 7:50 a.m., prompted law enforcement response to a residence in Dale City. A female victim, awakened by the accused wielding a knife in her room, endured a sexual assault.

Managing to escape, she sought refuge with a neighbor who promptly notified authorities. The suspect fled the scene in a Dodge Caravan, originally silver but later painted black aftermarket, bearing New Jersey license plates.

Further investigation revealed that the accused had been renting the basement of the same residence as the victim.

Prince William police: “On February 24 at 11:37PM, officers responded to the area of Minnieville Road and Bobcat Court in Woodbridge (22193) to investigate an unconscious female in the roadway.”

“The investigation revealed that the victim, a 27-year-old female, was walking in the westbound lane of Minnieville Road, wearing all dark clothing, when she was struck by a vehicle. The striking vehicle did not stop at the scene. Fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene where the pedestrian was pronounced deceased.”

“The vehicle is believed to be an unknown model Hyundai. 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.”

“The deceased pedestrian was identified as Carla Andrea MEJIA, 27, of Woodbridge”

Prince William police reported the following incidents”

Strong-Arm Robbery

On February 20 at 10:46AM, officers responded to the 13600 block of Foulger Sq in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate an assault. The investigation revealed the victim, a 20-year-old woman, and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused forcibly grabbed the victim’s cell phone and car keys from her possession. The parties eventually separated, and the victim contacted police. Following the investigation, officers obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Michael IPANAQUE CORONADO, who was arrested the next day.

Arrested on February 21: Michael IPANAQUE CORONADO, 22, of 4200 Potomac Highlands Cir in Triangle. Charges: Robbery and assault & battery. Court Date: Pending. Bond: Unavailable

Reckless Handling of a Firearm

Incident: On February 23 at 12:33 AM, officers responded to the 12300 block of Old Delaney Road in Lake Ridge to investigate a shots fired call. The investigation revealed multiple callers reported hearing several gunshots in the area. Officers patrolling different areas of Dale City also reported hearing the gunfire. No exact location or evidence of a shooting could be located, and no injuries or property damage were reported.

The FBI Washington Field Office and Prince William County Police Department are renewing their efforts to gather information regarding the murder of G. Marisol Coca-Romero, who was fatally shot a decade ago at a convenience store in Woodbridge.

On this day in 2014, three unidentified men entered the store where Coca-Romero and her co-worker were working and opened fire, resulting in her death. Her co-worker was also injured in the incident and was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

The incident occurred at Platanillos Grocery and Jewelry, located at 14342 Jefferson Davis Highway, around 9 p.m. Both victims, employees of the store, were shot during a robbery attempt. Despite the violence, nothing was reported stolen from the store.

Security camera footage from inside the store captured the moments leading up to the shooting, but the identities of the perpetrators remain unknown. Witnesses reported seeing three males entering the store before the gunshots rang out. The suspects, possibly on foot, fled the scene and have evaded capture since then.

In commemoration of the 10-year anniversary of Coca-Romero’s murder, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Individuals can provide tips anonymously by calling 703-792-7000.

Police have apprehended a suspect believed to be responsible for a carjacking near Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge.

On February 18 at 5:40 p.m., officers responding to an unrelated call for service spotted the suspect, and apprehended him after a foot pursuit.

Police said the carjacking occourred at 5:55 p.m. February 11. Officers responded to reports of a robbery in the 14200 block of Smoketown Road in Woodbridge. According to the initial report, the victim, an 18-year-old man, had been accosted by a group of individuals, one of whom was later as the suspect.

The victim had provided the suspect and others a ride, only to be targeted for robbery shortly thereafter, police said. The confrontation escalated when the suspect and another individual from the group pursued the victim to the median area of Smoketown Road, ultimately resulting in the victim being tackled and assaulted. During the altercation, the suspects forcibly took the victim’s phones, wallet, and keys.

A Good Samaritan intervened, preventing further harm to the victim. However, the suspects managed to escape in the victim’s vehicle, prompting a search by law enforcement. While the vehicle was later found abandoned near Westminister Lane in Lake Ridge, the suspects remained at large.

Ibrahim Barrie Jr., 18, of the 14615 Earlham Court in Dale City, faces charges of including carjacking, robbery, and fleeing from law enforcement. He is currently being held without bond, with a court date pending.

The investigation into this incident remains ongoing as authorities work to identify any additional suspects involved. In this case, the prompt action of law enforcement underscores their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the community, particularly near our schools.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact police to aid in the ongoing investigation.

More reports from Prince William police

Additional Arrest in Burglary While Armed

• Incident:Kevin Vincent Brown, 25, was apprehended after a home invasion that happened in January.
• Location: The burglary occurred in a residential area on Sudley Rd in Manassas, VA.
• Charges: Brown is charged with burglary while armed, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, among other felonies. He is held without bond.

Shooting Investigations

• Dale Blvd Shooting: A shooting was reported, with the victim sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.
• Location: The incident took place on Dale Blvd near the intersection with Minnieville Road in Dale City.
• Balls Ford Rd Shooting: Another shooting incident occurred, with the victim also resulted in a non-life threatening injury.
• Location: This incident was reported on Balls Ford Rd near Ashton Ave, near Manassas.
  Both shootings are under investigation with no suspects identified as of the report.
• Police said the the incidents do not appear to be random and there is no threat to the community.

Strong-Armed Robbery and Domestic Assault

• Robbery Incident: A strong-armed robbery was reported without specific charges or arrests mentioned.
• Location: Occurred in a commercial area on Smoketown Road in Woodbridge.
• Domestic Assault: A domestic assault case was reported, involving property destruction and physical altercation.
• Location: This incident happened in a residential neighborhood on Bristow Road in Bristow

Attempted malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer

On Feb. 17, 2024, in Gainesville, a domestic dispute escalated when Jessy William Szypulski, 34, armed with a handgun and in conflict with family members, fired at police and relatives from his home’s upper floor, police said.

• No injuries occurred as officers secured the scene, safely evacuating all, including four children. Szypulski was arrested, facing multiple charges, including attempted malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer and reckless handling of a firearm. He is held without bond, with a court date pending.

A knife was discovered in the possession of a 15-year-old student at Colgan High School, prompting swift action by school authorities and law enforcement on February 14. According to reports, the incident unfolded at approximately 9:15 a.m. when the School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Colgan High School was alerted to the weapon’s presence.

It was revealed during the subsequent investigation that the accused student had allegedly brandished the knife toward fellow students within a classroom setting.

Upon being informed of the situation, school personnel promptly notified the SRO, who, along with school staff, located and safely confiscated the knife from the student without further escalation. Fortunately, it was determined that the knife did not pose an immediate threat to other students, faculty, or staff members.

Following protocol, the 15-year-old male, identified as the accused, was placed under arrest and charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds. The accused is currently held at the Juvenile Detention Center, pending a court date.

This occurrence marks the second incident within as many months involving the possession of a knife on school premises, despite the recent deployment of $11 million in safety screening technology. The previous incident, which occurred at Potomac Senior High School on January 3, saw a similar discovery of a knife in a student’s possession, bypassing the implemented metal detectors.

In response to the incident, Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) spokeswoman Megan Silas emphasized the ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff. She highlighted the recent implementation of safety screening technology at middle and high schools across the district to enhance security measures. However, Silas acknowledged that despite the significant investment in such technology, incidents like these underscore the need for continuous evaluation and improvement of safety protocols.

“This situation remains under review,” stated Silas in an email to Potomac Local, emphasizing the district’s dedication to refining its processes in light of emerging challenges.

The installation of metal detectors, part of an $11 million investment in school safety measures, was undertaken by Prince William County Public Schools in collaboration with Evolv. The decision to adopt this technology at the division’s middle and high schools followed extensive deliberation, with school board members conducting firsthand assessments of the equipment’s efficacy in other jurisdictions.

With 92,000 students, Prince William County is Virginia’s second-largest public school division.