Police: Driver in Fatal Kingstowne Boulevard Crash Admits to Speeding
Driver allegedly sped up because of yellow light.
The driver of the blue Ford Mustang involved in a fatal crash in Kingstowne last month admitted to speeding before the collision, according to police documents.
A witness also reported to police that the Mustang's driver accelerated immediately before the crash.
The crash, at the intersection of Kingstowne Boulevard and Kingstowne Village Parkway, occurred around 1:15 p.m. on January 29, when the Mustang traveling east on Kingstowne Boulevard struck a silver Toyota Camry that was turning left from the boulevard onto Kingstowne Village Parkway. Both cars were facing a yellow light, according to a search warrant request for the Mustang's air bag data.
The Mustang struck the Camry's passenger side, killing Diana Merediz, a 71-year-old Mount Vernon woman. The Camry's driver was taken by helicopter to Inova Fairfax with life-threatening injuries, while the Mustang's driver received non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the crash, the Mustang's driver, a Franconia man, allegedly admitted to police that he accelerated because of the yellow light, according to the search warrant, and was traveling above the speed limit. This account was confirmed by a witness to the crash, according to the document.
The search warrant, filed by Fairfax County Police Department Detective Joshua David, seeks to obtain information about the Mustang's velocity and acceleration before the crash.
Mike
8:29 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
What kind of charge will the guy with the Mustang get?
Will Sommer
11:23 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Hi Mike,
At this point, it's not clear whether any charges will be filed, or what charges are being considered. It's worth remembering, though, that police said the crash was caused by speed, not alcohol.
Dennis Naidu
10:06 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
At least they can start with the yellow light offense and build from there. We all know the rules and this one is the same in most states that issue a license to drive.
"Yellow light or arrow: A yellow light or
arrow are cautions warning that the light is
about to change. If you have not entered the
intersection, stop. If you are already in the
intersection, go through it. Do not speed up to
beat the light." -Virgina Drivers Manual (2011)