Virginia man killed in Stafford County crash

Stock photoPhoto byArtyom Kulakov/Pexels

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal crash in Stafford County.

The two-vehicle crash occurred on Monday, June 26, at 7:53 a.m. along Interstate 95 at the 134-mile marker in the local lanes.

According to a Virginia State Police press release, a 2011 BMW sedan was traveling south on I-95 in the left lane at a slow rate of speed when it made an abrupt lane change to the right lane.

The unexpected maneuver placed the BMW directly into the path of a southbound 2013 Chrysler sedan. The driver of the sedan was unable to avoid a collision, and rear-ended the BMW. The resulting impact caused the BMW to collide with the Jersey wall (a concrete highway barrier designed to separate lanes of traffic).

Authorities report that the driver of the BMW, a 36-year-old male from Woodbridge, Va., was transported to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg for treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt. His identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

The driver of the Chrysler, a 52-year-old male from Stafford, Va., suffered minor injuries in the crash and was transported to Stafford Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seat belt.

According to the United States Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one of the safest choices drivers (and passengers) can make is to buckle up.

The national use rate was up to 91.6% in 2022. Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved more than 14,000 lives in 2017. In 2021 alone, more than 26,000 passenger vehicle occupants were killed. About 50% of those killed were not wearing a seatbelt.

As part of NHTSA's mission to help Americans travel safely, they work to educate drivers and passengers about how to protect themselves and others on the road. Public service campaigns include Buckle Up America, Never Give Up Until They Buckle Up (promoting tween seat belt use), and Click It or Ticket, (increased seat belt enforcement periods supported by state and local law enforcement).

The Stafford County crash remains under investigation.