Prince William County police officers with the Crash Investigation Unit arrived on the scene of an auto fatality at 6:30 a.m., on Aug. 5 near Sudley Road and its intersection with Coverstone Drive in Manassas.
Investigators came upon a collision that involved two vehicles, a late-model Freightliner tractor-trailer and a 2012 model Toyota RAV4. According to reports, the Toyota driver tried to turn right from Coverstone onto the southbound lane of Sudley Road. However, the 18-wheeler was heading south on Sudley as the driver approached the intersection. When the driver of the big rig ran a red light, the vehicles collided.
Five Manassas residents were riding in the Toyota, a man, 43, two women, age 41 and 33, and two young boys, age 2 and 3. The 33-year-old woman was ejected from the middle rear seat and succumbed to her injuries after being taken to a local hospital. She was not wearing a safety belt when the crash occurred.
The RAV4 driver received only minor injuries and received treatment by first responders at the accident scene. The Toyota’s front seat passenger suffered minor injuries and was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital. The two boys, who had both been secured properly, were not injured.
The truck driver is a resident of Mt. Airy, Maryland, and is 53. He also was not hurt in the accident.
Police do not suspect impairment or excessive speeds to be involved in the collision. Charges were pending against the at-fault driver.
Those who lose a beloved family member in a fatal collision with a commercial trucker may be able to pursue both the driver and the trucking company for the financial and other damages they endured as a result of that loss.
Source: PotomacLocal.com, “Manassas man killed in Sudley Road crash,” Aug. 05, 2016
