Woman Dies in Car Accident, Fuels Debate

A Newington-area mom was involved in a single-vehicle fatal crash on Saturday, according to Fairfax County Police.

At about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Casey Noriega, 29, of Haynes Point Way, was driving a 2001 Toyota Camry southbound on Beulah Street approaching the intersection of Windsor Avenue. For unknown reasons, she drove off the road and struck a pole. She was 1.4 miles from her home, although it is uncertain if she was driving home or had just left home.

Noriega was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Noriega left behind a family, a group of friends and work colleagues, and students at Gymboree Play and Music of Alexandria, where she was an instructor.

How to break the news to kids at Gymboree has become a topic of debate for parents in the area.