ALEXANDRIA, VA. (THECOUNT) — Three juveniles were killed and a fourth suffered life-threatening injuries early Monday after a stolen vehicle crashed following a police pursuit on Interstate 395 in Alexandria, Virginia, according to Virginia State Police.
A state trooper spotted the stolen vehicle around 12:45 a.m. Monday near Stevenson Road and South Walker Street in Alexandria and attempted a traffic stop. Police said the vehicle failed to stop, prompting a pursuit.
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The driver entered northbound I-395 and attempted to take the Shirlington exit. According to police, the vehicle lost control on the exit ramp, ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a Jersey barrier.
One occupant died at the scene. The driver and two other occupants were transported to area hospitals, where the driver and a second occupant later died from their injuries.
The fourth occupant remained hospitalized Monday with life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
Virginia State Police said all four occupants are believed to have been juveniles and that none of them was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Authorities had not publicly released their identities or ages.
The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Prince George’s County, Maryland. The circumstances surrounding the theft and the reason the vehicle was being driven in Alexandria remain part of the investigation.
The crash prompted a discussion among commenters on social media about parenting as well as the risks and consequences of police pursuits.
Roger Cullip wrote, “Doesn’t work like GTA in real life.”
Janice Taylor offered a different perspective, writing, “Unfortunate but the LEO’s have a job to do and it often ends like this when a pursuit happens. If they ended the chase, who knows what the occupants would have done next.”
Brian McDermott questioned the potential risk to other motorists and members of the public, writing, “The issue for me, however, is the risk to the general public.” He added that people fleeing from police “must live with the consequences of their actions,” while innocent members of the public can have their lives changed by a high-speed pursuit.
Lavonte Davis also questioned whether a stolen vehicle justified the risks associated with a pursuit, writing, “Is a stolen vehicle worth anyone’s life, let alone three?” Davis said vehicle pursuits can put law enforcement officers, fleeing suspects and innocent members of the public at risk.
Gary Browder focused on potential parental responsibility, writing, “Of course dead beat parents will be trying to sue someone/anyone.”
The crash brought a major emergency response involving Virginia State Police and local emergency personnel. The Shirlington exit ramp was closed overnight while investigators worked at the scene and later reopened.
Authorities have not announced whether anyone else was involved in the crash or whether additional charges will result from the pursuit. The investigation remains active.
Alexandria is an independent city in Northern Virginia, immediately south of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington metropolitan area. Interstate 395 is a major north-south route connecting Northern Virginia with Washington and the surrounding region.
Google Maps: I-395 Shirlington Road Exit, Alexandria, Virginia
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