Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2025) at 2:39 p.m. in the express lanes of Interstate 95 southbound at the 151-mile marker in Prince William County.

A 2020 Lexus RX was stopped on the right shoulder of the express lanes when it was struck by a 2022 Ford F-250 that had gone off of the right side of the road.  After being struck, the Lexus hit the guardrail and then went back into the travel lanes, where it stopped, facing traffic.

The driver of the Lexus, Vernon S. Lee, II, 57, of Chester, Va. died at the scene.  He was wearing a seatbelt.  A passenger, Shannon S. Lee, 25, suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital.  She was also wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Ford F-250, Jeremy S. Kubela, 43, of Fredericksburg, Va., was not injured.  He has been charged with reckless driving.

The crash remains under investigation.

A speeding incident escalated into a high-speed pursuit Wednesday, January 21, 2025, on Interstate 95, according to Virginia State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein.

At 11:33 a.m., a Virginia State Police trooper attempted to stop a silver sedan traveling northbound on I-95 near the 157-mile marker in Prince William County for speeding—clocked at 93 mph in a 60-mph zone. The driver refused to stop, prompting a police pursuit.

During the chase, the sedan struck the mirror of another vehicle, causing minor damage, but no injuries were reported. The pursuit continued onto eastbound Interstate 495 and ultimately ended at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, marking the Maryland state line. At that point, the pursuit was terminated.

Virginia State Police have not released additional details about the driver or whether charges are pending.

Hat tip to Potomac Local News sponsor Mark Worrilow of Fathom Realty—the best darn realtor in Northern Virginia—for tipping us off to this story while on his way to meet a client.

Two vehicles were traveling northbound at a high rate of speed when one of them, a 2013 BMW 650I, changed lanes and struck a 2020 Mercedes E-Class, which was not involved in the speeding. The Mercedes hit the guardrail, while the BMW struck the jersey wall, ejecting its driver. The Mercedes then struck the driver of the BMW.

The driver of the BMW, Kenneth D. Buckner, 35, of Washington, D.C., died at the scene. Police confirmed he was not wearing a seatbelt. A passenger in the BMW, Tyra Williams, 29, was partially ejected and sustained serious injuries. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The other vehicle traveling at a high speed is described as a dark-colored Infiniti sedan. It did not strike any vehicles. The crash remains under investigation.

Prince William County Police Report Roundup

Strong-Arm Robbery Arrest
A suspect involved in a strong-arm robbery that occurred on August 5, 2023, was arrested on December 3, 2024. Alexis Ayestas Romero, 31, of York Drive in Woodbridge, allegedly took keys forcefully from a 26-year-old woman following a verbal altercation. Romero has been charged with robbery, and court proceedings are pending.

Indecent Exposure and Indecent Liberties Arrest
In Woodbridge, police arrested Kieare Jeremiah Whitmore, 23, on December 16 for indecent exposure and indecent liberties. Officers were called to Anderson Court after a woman witnessed Whitmore exposing himself and making inappropriate gestures. An earlier incident on December 11 involved a juvenile and an adult victim. Whitmore faces two counts of indecent exposure and one count of indecent liberties and is being held on a $2,500 unsecured bond.

Attempted Residential Burglary in Manassas
An attempted residential burglary was reported in Manassas on December 16. Surveillance footage showed an unknown man entering a backyard on Lomond Drive and trying to gain access to the home through a rear door. The suspect fled after being confronted by a neighbor, and no property was taken.

Assault and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
Kenneth Robin Grey, 39, of Chantilly, was arrested on December 15 for assaulting a law enforcement officer. Officers located Grey inside a stolen vehicle in a parking lot on Daniel Stuart Square in Woodbridge. Grey allegedly resisted arrest, leading to a brief struggle in which he and an officer sustained minor injuries. Grey was charged with assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen goods, and obstruction of justice. He is being held without bond.

Virignia State Police Press Release:

Preliminary data indicates that seven people died on Virginia’s roadways over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday. The number is a decrease from 2023, when 11 people were killed, and a large decrease from 2022, when 19 people died in fatal crashes.

However, in only two of the 2024 fatal crashes could it be determined that the victim was wearing a seatbelt (one fatal crash in Warren County did involve an ATV). “Virginia State Police is pleased that we continue to see the number of fatalities decrease, although we want that number at zero,” said Lt. Col. Matt Hanley, Interim Superintendent of Virginia State Police. “However, we still are seeing too many people not buckling up when they are in a vehicle. It can save lives. Please wear a seatbelt and make this a safe rest of the holiday season. ”During the five-day counting period, which began at 12:01 a.m.

Nov. 27, 2024, and concluded at 11:59 p.m., Dec. 1, 2024, seven people lost their lives in seven crashes on Virginia roadways. The crashes occurred in Bath, Culpeper, Page, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren and Wythe counties. The fatal crash in Warren County on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28, 2024) involved an ATV that was off-road.

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. Operation CARE is an annual, state-sponsored, national program during which state police increases its visibility and traffic enforcement efforts during the five-day statistical counting period.

The 2024 Thanksgiving Holiday Care initiative led to state troopers citing 404 people for not wearing a seatbelt, and writing 116 citations for child restraint violations. Seventy-seven people were arrested for Driving Under the Influence (one of which was for Driving Under the Influence- Drugs).

Three-thousand-six-hundred-thirty-eight (3,638) drivers were cited for speeding, and over 1,700 drivers were cited for reckless driving. Overall, state troopers worked 1,182 crashes, 129 of which resulted in injuries. Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.

The Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, where one vehicle collided with a guardrail and was later struck by another vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle died from injuries, while the driver of the second vehicle sustained serious injuries.

Press Release from Virginia State Police:

Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash in Stafford County. The crash occurred Thursday (Nov. 28), at 7:13 a.m. on southbound Interstate 95 at the 139-mile marker.

A 2013 Chevrolet Cruze was traveling south on I95 when it lost control, ran off the right side of the roadway, and collided with a guardrail. Several minutes later, a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, which was also traveling southbound, lost control, ran off the right side of the roadway, and collided with the Chevrolet, which was still on the shoulder up against the guardrail.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Bezawit B. Yigzaw, 30, of Woodbridge, Va., suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Mary Washington Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. It’s unknown if she was wearing a seatbelt during the initial crash. She was not wearing a seatbelt during the second crash.

The driver of the Volkswagen, Douglas P. Butler, 47, of Ruther Glen, Va., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

Weather is considered a factor in the crash.
Charges are pending as the crash remains under investigation.

Press release:

Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash in Stafford County. The crash occurred Saturday (Nov. 16), at 4:04 a.m. on southbound Interstate 95 at the 146-mile marker.

A 2018 Volvo XC90 was traveling in the wrong direction on I95 when it collided head-on with a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The impact caused the Volvo to overturn.

The driver of the Volvo, Jibril N. Ibn Jeter, 48, of Fort Washington, Md., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Patrick C. Ledoux, 25, of Manassas, Va., died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt.

A passenger in the Chevrolet, a 28-year-old male from Manassas, Va., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.

Ibn Jeter has been charged with involuntary manslaughter; driving under the influence but continues to receive treatment at the hospital. Once he is released from the hospital he will be transported to the Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he will be held without bond. Additional charges are pending.

Three additional vehicles crashed while attempting to avoid a collision with the Volvo. One of those drivers was transported to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

It’s unknown where the Volvo entered I-95 traveling in the wrong direction.

All southbound travel lanes were closed for approximately 5 hours for the investigation and cleanup. VDOT assisted with the roadway closure and detour.

The crash remains under investigation.

Watch: This is the wrong way driver on I-95S between Quantico and Aquia early this morning that @VSPPIO say caused a crash that killed one person and seriously injured two others. The crash was near the 146 MM in Stafford County just after a.m. This video is from a traffic… pic.twitter.com/sUQXWpP1FC

— Dave Statter (@STATter911) November 17, 2024

From Virignia State Police:

On Wednesday (Nov. 13), Virginia State Police located and arrested the driver involved in the fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred on Friday (Nov. 8), in Fauquier County. The driver, Dennis D. Dunning, 54, of Catlett, Va., was located at his residence on the 8000 block of Burwell Road in Fauquier and taken into custody without incident.

Dunning was charged with felony hit-and-run, involuntary manslaughter, and operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock. Dunning was transported to the Fauquier Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

Initial Press Release:

Virginia State Police is seeking the public’s help with identifying two vehicles that struck a pedestrian Friday (Nov. 8), in Fauquier County.

The hit-and-run crash occurred at 5:47 p.m. on Route 806 (Elk Run Road) at Flippo Lane.

A male pedestrian was walking eastbound across Route 806 when he was struck by a northbound SUV. The pedestrian was then struck by an unknown southbound vehicle. Neither vehicle stopped at the scene.
The pedestrian, Garland J. Heddings, 73, of Catlett, Va., died at the scene.

The initial striking vehicle is believed to be a 2001 – 2003 Nissan Frontier, silver in color. The Nissan will have damage to its front end and driver side.

The unknown vehicle may have damage to the front end.

Virginia State Police are investigating two separate fatal crashes that occurred on Route 806 in Fauquier County, claiming the lives of a pedestrian and a motorcyclist. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as investigations continue.

Fatal Hit-and-Run on Elk Run Road

On Friday, November 8, at approximately 5:47 p.m., an adult male pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit-and-run on Route 806 (Elk Run Road) near Flippo Lane. The man was crossing the road when he was hit by a northbound SUV. Moments later, he was struck again by a second, unidentified southbound vehicle. Tragically, neither vehicle stopped at the scene, and the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

The initial striking vehicle is believed to be a late 1990s to early 2000s silver Nissan SUV with noticeable front-end damage. The second vehicle, currently unidentified, may also have sustained front-end damage. Virginia State Police are asking anyone with information to reach out to Senior Trooper J. Tanner at 540-347-6200 or email [email protected]. The crash remains under active investigation as authorities work to identify the vehicles involved.

Fatal Motorcycle Collision with SUV

Just days prior, on Saturday, November 2, another fatal collision occurred at 5:58 p.m. at the intersection of Route 806 (Elk Run Road) and Barnes Road. The crash involved a 2015 Moto Guzzi Griso motorcycle, which was traveling northbound on Route 806, and a westbound 2023 Acura RDX making a left turn onto Route 806.

The motorcycle rider, identified as 31-year-old Christopher V. Gresch from Manassas, Va., was killed in the crash. Despite wearing a helmet, Gresch succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The driver of the Acura, a 49-year-old woman from Catlett, Va., was uninjured and was wearing a seatbelt. Authorities have identified speed as a factor in this collision.

Both crashes remain under investigation.

The Virginia State Police HEAT program awarded five police departments and seventeen individuals for efforts in reducing vehicle theft across the Commonwealth during an event on August 26. Notably, the Prince William County Police Department won the top award for departments serving populations over 100,000, highlighting its significant contributions to auto theft enforcement.

Press Release from Virginia State Police:

The Virginia State Police (VSP) Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) program presented awards to five Virginia police departments and seventeen individuals to recognize their efforts in reducing vehicle theft and theft of vehicle parts across the Commonwealth. The awards ceremony took place on August 26 during the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation held in Roanoke.

The following awards were presented by First Sergeant Peter Lazear, HEAT Program Coordinator:

The Prince William County Police Department was the agency winner for departments serving a population of more than 100,000, and the Henrico County Police Division and Newport News Police Department were finalists in the same category. The Salem Police Department took the top prize for departments serving a population from 20,001 to 100,000, and the Town of Hillsville Police Department received a certificate of merit.

Detective Scott Letteer, Henrico County Police Division, was an individual winner for departments serving a population of more than 100,000, and Trooper Garrison Wright and Senior Special Agent Heather Marshall, Virginia State Police, were winners across the Commonwealth.

Individual finalists for departments serving populations of more than 100,000 were Senior Officer Ralph Adams, Patrol Officer Matthew Cayne, and Patrol Officer Daniel Crosby, Henrico County Police Division. Sergeant Michael Roser and Trooper Eli Thies, Virginia State Police, were finalists across the Commonwealth.

Certificates of merit were presented to Patrol Officer Hunter Mitchell, Henrico County Police Division, for departments serving a population of over 100,000 and Trooper Alijia Annon and Trooper Jordan Corvin, Virginia State Police, for across the Commonwealth.

Special Agent Christopher Scherer, National Insurance Crime Bureau, received a certificate of merit in the public outreach category. Detective Sang Lee, Patrol Officer Julio Torres-Telez, Detective Hao Truong, Mr. William Reese, and Ms. Anna Whalen, Newport News Police Department, received certificates of merit in the same category.

The HEAT Awards program is open to all Virginia law enforcement entities and employees who work in auto theft enforcement and prevention. “We are grateful to law enforcement agencies and officers from throughout Virginia who join with the Virginia State Police in fighting vehicle theft,” Lazear said. “These annual awards are an opportunity to recognize outstanding efforts.”

“Virginia citizens also have an important role to play in preventing auto theft,” said First Sgt. Lazear. “By following a few common-sense tips, they can protect their vehicles.” The HEAT program recommends the following:

• Take your keys and lock your doors every time you leave your vehicle.
• Never leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle. Place them in the trunk or somewhere out of sight.
• Be aware of your surroundings when out and about.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Invest in an audible or visible deterrent.
• Install GPS or other tracking devices.

Learn more about the HEAT program at HEATreward.com.