Email signup

Police: Woman on sidewalk killed in Richmond Highway crash by possibly speeding driver

Clayborne Avenue facing Richmond Highway in Groveton (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 1:25 p.m.) A 36-year-old Alexandria woman was killed last night (Thursday) after a driver who may have been speeding down Richmond Highway (Route 1) careened into her.

Samantha Jennings-Jones was walking on the sidewalk when a 2007 Mercedes C230 sedan hit her at 9:22 p.m. near the Clayborne Avenue intersection in Groveton, Fairfax County police said in a news release published today (Friday).

Based on a preliminary investigation, police say the Mercedes driver was headed south on Richmond Highway when they collided with a northbound 2017 Jeep Wrangler that was “attempting to make a left onto Clayborne Avenue.”

“The driver of the Mercedes struck the Jeep, left the roadway and spun around before striking Samantha Jennings-Jones,” the Fairfax County Police Department said.

Jennings-Jones died at the scene. She is the second pedestrian to be killed in a vehicle crash within the past seven days after Falls Church resident Ana Julia Acosta De Ostorga was hit while crossing Wilson Blvd in Seven Corners last Friday (March 24).

Prior to that crash, Fairfax County hadn’t seen any pedestrian fatalities in 2023. By this time last year, the FCPD had recorded five pedestrian-related fatal crashes.

“Preliminarily, speed appears to be a factor for the driver of the Mercedes in the crash. Detectives do not believe alcohol to be a factor,” the police department said regarding yesterday’s crash.

As they prepare to present details of the investigation to prosecutors for potential charges, police are still seeking additional information about the crash from community members.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact our Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.

According to state data, there have now been 10 fatal crashes involving pedestrians on Richmond Highway since 2020.

Photo via Google Maps

Recent Stories

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar. 🕗 News recap The following articles were published earlier…

Local morning commuters can save on gas and win a free t-shirt when Bike to Work Day returns to Fairfax County this month. The 23rd annual Bike to Work Day…

Local golf professional Larkin Gross has qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, where he will face off with some of the U.S.’s top male golfers in two…

The push to rename Reston’s Shadowood Recreation Area has reached a new phase with the launch of an online survey. Reston Association announced on Wednesday (May 1) that it’s officially…

The Blue Swallow Farm Foundation is holding an online auction to celebrate three years of helping students and educators in outdoor instruction. We invite you to participate in our online auction to support our mission of providing authentic, outdoor experiences for children. This event not only serves as a fundraiser for our initiatives but also as an opportunity for you to acquire unique items and experiences while making a positive difference in the lives of students and educators. You can preview auction items and then register as a bidder. Bidding will begin on May 4. The bids will close on May 8. Proceeds will assist us in helping educators build outdoor classrooms, developing high-quality curriculum materials and professional development workshops, sending teachers and students to environmental youth summits, and assessing the benefits of outdoor learning.

Submit your own Community Post here.

Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride

Join us on Saturday, May 11th and ride into spring during our Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride. Back for its second year, Pedal with Petals is going to be bigger than ever. This year’s event will include both an

Encore Creativity for Older Adults at Capital One Hall

Encore Creativity for Older Adults is pleased to raise the curtain and welcome community members to its spring concert at Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA on May 4, 2024. The concert, which starts at 3 PM, will bring hundreds

×

Subscribe to our mailing list