Prince William police: “Fatal Crash Investigation – On November 25 at 7:50PM, crash investigators responded to the 5300 block of Davis Ford Rd. in Woodbridge (22192) to investigate a single-vehicle crash. The investigation revealed the driver of a 1994 Honda Civic was traveling westbound on Davis Ford Rd. at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the eastbound lanes, and left the roadway. The vehicle traveled off-road before striking a tree and coming to rest. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.”

“The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. The driver was transported to an area hospital where he later died as a result of the injuries sustained during the crash on November 30. Speed and impairment appear to be factors in the collision. Investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police.”

Identified:

• The driver of the 1994 Honda Civic was identified as Edward Wayne MUDD Jr., 35, of Nokesville

VDOT: “While snow might not be at the top of most people’s minds right now, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is at the height of preparation for the upcoming winter season. Equipment, materials and staffing are in place and ready to go the moment winter weather arrives.”

“Those traveling in and through the Commonwealth can be confident in VDOT’s preparedness as the seasons change,” said VDOT Chief of Maintenance and Operations Kevin Gregg. “With more than 57,000 lane miles of roadway to maintain across the Commonwealth, our focus remains on the safety of the traveling public, especially during inclement weather. Recent operational improvements mean our crews are trained, experienced and equipped to get the job done when snow arrives.”

Winter Weather Resources and Readiness:

• $220 million set aside for winter weather
• More than 2,300 VDOT crew members, not including additional contractors, available for snow removal statewide
• Currently more than 10,200 pieces of snow-removal equipment, including trucks, loaders and motor graders
• More than 702,000 tons of salt, sand and treated abrasives and more than 1.9 million gallons of liquid calcium chloride and salt brine
• Real-time Progress: Online VDOT Snowplow Tracker

“Across the state, if snow reaches two inches or more, VDOT activates an online snowplow tracking map. Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology is operational statewide. All VDOT-owned and contracted plows will be equipped with AVL, allowing them to be monitored on the snowplow tracker.”

66 Express Lanes: “As the 66 Express Outside the Beltway marks its first full year of operations today, the project has shown itself to be a game-changer for the Northern Virginia region.”

“Delivered ahead of schedule and within budget despite supply-chain issues, a global pandemic, and historic inflation levels, the privately financed 66 Express Outside the Beltway project has proven to be a boon to Northern Virginia’s economy and workforce.”

“Prior to construction of the 66 Express, it took an average of about 60 minutes to travel eastbound from Gainesville to I-495 during peak hours and about 50 minutes westbound. The additional capacity of the 66 Express has cut those commutes nearly in half on the general-purpose lanes, with the express lanes saving drivers another 10 minutes per trip. The result has been a 36% reduction in peak-hour travel times compared to before construction.”

The toll lanes run from Haymarket in Prince William County to the Capital Beltway. Drivers with three or more occupants and an E-ZPass Flex may ride free. Vehicles with two or fewer occupants may use an E-ZPass to pay to use the lanes.

Virginia Department of Transportation: “A federally-funded safety project was completed on time on Route 218 (White Oak Road/Caledon Road) between Route 604 (Belle Plains Road) in Stafford County and Route 206 (Dahlgren Road) in King George County.”

“The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and contractor crews replaced and installed approximately 100 signs and pavement safety messages over 21 miles of Route 218.”

“New flashing beacon signs were installed and activated between Vertical Ridge Road and Ford Lane in King George, near rumble strips that cross the Route 218 travel lanes. The flashing beacons provide a visual warning to drivers that they are approaching a curve, along with a new ‘Slow’ symbol applied to the pavement in this area.”

“Various safety signs were replaced and installed along the corridor, including curve warning signs and curve chevron signs, to reduce the risk of crashes and improve safety. The new signs provide additional warning and delineation at curves.”

“The project’s contractors were CES Consulting, LLC; Dominion Energy; and Northern Neck Electric Cooperative. The $300,000 project was federally funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and was completed on time on Monday, Nov. 27.”

Prince William police: “Death Investigation – On November 14 at 6:58PM, crash investigators responded to the intersection of Lee Hwy. and Webb Dr. in Gainesville (20155) to investigate a crash.”

The investigation revealed the driver of a Kia Optima was traveling westbound on Lee Highway just prior to Webb Dr. and suffered a medical emergency. The driver disregarded the red light at the intersection and struck a 2023 Toyota 4-Runner that was traveling on Webb Dr.”

“The driver of the Optima was transported to an area hospital where he later died on November 27. At the time of the crash, the driver of the 4-Runner, a 60-year-old woman, was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Following the investigation, and due to indications the death resulted from the medical emergency and not from injuries from the collision, the case will be classified as a death, and not a fatal crash.”

Identified:

The deceased was identified as Michael Earl BLAYLOCK, 68, of Haymarket

Virginia State Police: “Virginia experienced a 53% decrease in the number of fatal traffic crashes over the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday.? Preliminary data indicates nine people lost their lives over the five-day holiday statistical counting period, compared to 19 fatalities in 2022. In a majority of the crashes, those who died were not wearing a seat belt.”

“During the five-day counting period, which began at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 22, 2023, and concluded at midnight Nov. 26, 2023, nine people lost their lives to eight traffic crashes on Virginia roadways.? The crashes occurred in Amelia, Buchanan, Fairfax, Henrico, Henry, Madison, and Wythe counties, as well as the city of Chesapeake.”

“?To prevent traffic deaths and injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Virginia State Police participated in Operation C.A.R.E., the Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort The 2023 Thanksgiving Holiday CARE initiative led to state troopers citing 4,520 drivers for speeding and 1,840 for reckless driving.??State troopers also arrested 89 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and wrote 427 citations for not wearing a seat belt.”

“Overall, state troopers worked 1,359 crashes, a decrease of nearly a hundred traffic crashes compared to the 2022 Thanksgiving holiday.?Of the 2023 traffic crashes, 137 of them resulted in injuries.”

Operators of the Interstate 95/395 Express Lanes will temporarily close the lanes in preparation for the opening of new on-ramps in Stafford County and Woodbridge.

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Update 5 p.m.: The road has been reopened.

Original post 11 a.m.: The Stafford County Sheriff’s office reported the crash on Route 17, near the Fauquier County line, at about 8 a.m.

Stafford sheriff’s office: “You may be a little latte this morning if your commute includes the 3000 block of Warrenton Road. There is a back-up brewing after a tractor trailer hauling coffee overturned in the median near the Fauquier County line. There are no injuries, but one lane is closed in each direction at the scene.”

More as we have it.

Press Release: “On Thursday evening, November 30, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event will occur in Washington, D.C. The planned road closures and increased pedestrian traffic are expected to cause congestion and delays within the D.C. service area.”

“This will cause changes to OmniRide Express P.M. service. OmniRide Express trips that would originate in D.C. will instead start at the Pentagon. Trips will start at the Pentagon at the same time they are scheduled to start from their last D.C. timepoint. Regular fares will be in effect.”

“All other OmniRide Express routes will operate normal service.”