Manassas, VA. (THECOUNT) – A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded late Monday night in the Manassas area of Prince William County, Virginia, when a 9-year-old boy was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while running across Centreville Road. The unlicensed Honda Accord driver has been identified by officials as, Jacinto Josue Ezequiel JACINTO MORALES, 30, of Centreville.
Morales, who was uninjured, has been charged with driving without a license, third offense. Morales was released on a summons and is scheduled to appear in court at a date yet to be determined. No photograph of the accused has been released by police at this time.
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Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) officers responded to the intersection of Centreville Road and Leland Road (ZIP 20111) at approximately 10:23 p.m. on April 13 following reports of a pedestrian crash. According to the official investigation, the young boy had left his home and was running in the roadway when he was hit by a northbound 2012 Honda Civic. At the time of the incident, the child was not in a designated crosswalk or any safe crossing area.
Bystanders who witnessed the crash immediately sprang into action, performing CPR on the boy until emergency medical personnel arrived. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead despite the heroic efforts to save him.
The deceased has been identified only as a 9-year-old boy from Manassas. His full name has not been publicly disclosed out of respect for the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
This incident marks yet another sobering reminder of the dangers posed by pedestrian-vehicle crashes, particularly in suburban areas like Prince William County where residential neighborhoods border busy roadways. Centreville Road (also known as Route 28) is a major thoroughfare in the region, handling significant commuter and local traffic. While specific crash history data for the exact intersection of Centreville and Leland Roads is not prominently highlighted in recent VDOT studies, the corridor has seen pedestrian incidents in the past, underscoring ongoing challenges with road safety in Northern Virginia.
Under Virginia law, driving without a license is a serious offense. A first violation is typically a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine. However, a second or subsequent offense escalates to a Class 1 misdemeanor, carrying up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and potential license suspension of up to 90 days. For a third offense, courts often impose stricter penalties, including mandatory considerations for jail time in some circumstances. The charge in this case reflects Morales’ prior record, though no additional charges—such as reckless driving or failure to yield—have been announced as the investigation continues.
Prince William County has made strides in addressing pedestrian safety in recent years. According to the PWCPD’s 2025 Annual Report, total pedestrian-related crashes in the county decreased by 8.8% from 91 in 2024 to 83 in 2025. Fatal pedestrian crashes also dropped 11.1%, from nine to eight. Despite these improvements, the county still recorded 28 total fatal crashes in 2025, a 7.7% increase from the prior year, with pedestrian-involved incidents remaining a key concern. Statewide, Virginia saw a significant 15% decline in overall traffic fatalities in 2025, dropping to 747 deaths compared to 2024 figures. Nationally, preliminary data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) shows U.S. pedestrian fatalities in the first half of 2025 fell 10.9% from the previous year—the largest annual decline in 15 years of tracking—yet experts stress that even one preventable death is too many.
The role of bystanders in this tragedy highlights the critical importance of community response. Immediate CPR can dramatically improve survival rates in cardiac arrest situations, which often follow severe trauma like this. Local first responders and hospitals in the Prince William area are equipped to handle such emergencies, but prevention remains the priority.
Parents and guardians are urged to reinforce road safety rules with children, especially in neighborhoods near busy roads like Centreville. Experts recommend teaching kids to use crosswalks, look both ways multiple times, and avoid running into streets—even in familiar areas. Drivers, meanwhile, should remain vigilant in residential zones, reduce speed, and watch for children who may dart out unexpectedly, particularly during evening hours when visibility can be reduced.
Crash investigators with the PWCPD are actively seeking additional witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam footage from the area around 10:23 p.m. on April 13. Anyone with information is asked to contact Prince William County Police at 703-792-6500 or submit an anonymous tip online at pwcva.gov/policetip.
As the investigation proceeds, the Prince William County community mourns the loss of a young life cut far too short. This incident serves as a call to action for all residents to prioritize safety—whether behind the wheel, on foot, or as a parent supervising children. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from authorities.
The information in this article is based on the official “For Immediate Release” statement from the Prince William County Police Department, supplemented by publicly available data on traffic laws, crash statistics, and regional safety trends. No additional charges or details have been released as of April 14, 2026.
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