A 46-year-old motorcyclist died in a crash on Hooes Road in Lorton late last week.

Springfield resident Samuel Gensler was riding a 2001 Harley Davidson north on Hooes Road Friday (May 19) afternoon when he lost control at the curve approaching the Crosspointe Glen Way intersection, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

According to police, Gensler veered off the roadway, “struck a driveway and was separated from the motorcycle.”

Police officers responded to the scene at 4:54 p.m. Gensler was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died.

“Detectives continue to investigate to determine whether speed and alcohol were factors in the crash,” the FCPD said in a news release on Saturday (May 20).

Gensler is the sixth non-pedestrian to be killed in a crash on Fairfax County roads this year — double the number of fatalities seen at this point in 2022, according to the FCPD. Earlier this month, another motorcyclist died in a crash on Richmond Highway in Lorton.

There have also been four pedestrian deaths, most recently when a fire engine hit a woman in Reston.

Those numbers from the FCPD don’t include highway incidents, such as last week’s fatal crash with a deer on the Dulles Access Road in Tysons. In total, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has recorded 11 fatalities in Fairfax County this year, though state data doesn’t show any deaths in May yet.

An 18-year-old man from Alexandria has been charged with reckless driving after allegedly crashing into a pedestrian on Richmond Highway in March, killing her.

Shortly before 9:30 p.m. on March 30, Luis Merino Berrios was driving south on Richmond Highway in a 2007 Mercedes C230 when he lost control near Groveton Street, a change from the originally reported location of Clayborne Avenue.

From the Fairfax County Police Department:

The driver of a 2017 Jeep Wrangler attempted to make a left turn from northbound Richmond Highway onto Groveton Street. Detectives determined Berrios was traveling at an excessive speed. He attempted avoidance maneuvers, lost control of his Mercedes, and struck the Jeep Wrangler. Berrios’s vehicle spun several times before leaving the roadway striking Samantha Jennings-Jones who was walking on the sidewalk.

Jennings-Jones was declared dead at the scene. She was 36.

Berrios was charged today (Thursday) and released on a summons, which means he’s still legally allowed to drive, the FCPD said.

Police said they didn’t have the exact speed Berrios was driving, but it was “excessive” for that section of Richmond Highway, which had a 45 mph speed limit.

Starting on Tuesday (May 23), the speed limit will be dropped to 35 mph in response to years of concerns about the roadway’s safety. Another pedestrian was killed on Route 1 just a week after Jennings-Jones died, and earlier this month, a motorcyclist was killed in the Lorton area.

According to her obituary, Jennings-Jones was working in the White House Office of the National Cyber Directorate when she died. She had a husband and two cats.

“Sam was a firm believer that friends are the family you choose, and she will be missed by the many friends and colleagues whose lives she touched and was such a big part of,” the obituary said.

Photo via Google Maps

A man died after hitting a deer on the Dulles Airport Access Highway in Tysons last night (Wednesday).

Police responded to the westbound lanes about a mile west of the Capital Beltway (I-495) for a single-vehicle crash around 8:17 p.m., says the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which has jurisdiction over the Dulles Access Road.

Upon arriving, officers found the adult, male driver dead in the vehicle, which police described as a “ride-share Toyota minivan.”

An injured passenger was transported to Reston Hospital Center by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, according to scanner traffic. Police confirmed that the passenger was a rideshare customer.

“Airport-bound traffic was detoured to the Dulles Toll Road during the accident reconstruction,” MWAA said.

Horrendous incident on the Dulles Access Road tonight. Rideshare driver headed to airport killed when he struck a deer in Tysons. Passenger also injured. Both access lanes closed, tolled lanes open @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/fHWSMj5NRY

— Tom Lynch (@TomLynch_) May 18, 2023

FATAL DEER-VS-AUTO CRASH — westbound Dulles Access Rd just past the tollbooth. One human dead, and another injured. #VATraffic pic.twitter.com/lBvDaRMzOc

— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) May 18, 2023

Map via Google Maps

The driver of a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue engine who struck and killed a woman on Glade Drive in Reston did not see the woman lying in the roadway, police say.

Preliminarily, investigators believe that speed was not a factor in the crash, which happened shortly after 2:18 am yesterday (Monday), the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release.

According to the FCPD, the police and fire departments received a call that a woman who appeared to be intoxicated was lying on the ground west of Laurel Glade Court. The officer who arrived first at the scene did not see the woman lying in the roadway, passing her to talk to the person who made the 911 call.

The driver of the fire engine followed the officer. The captain saw the woman and “immediately” called on the engine to stop and turn, but the driver was unable to avoid the crash, police said.

“Fire and rescue personnel immediately began to provide advanced medical care,” the FCPD said.

The woman was identified as Ashley Boardman, 23, of Middleburg. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Police say they are still investigating “if drugs or alcohol were factors for Boardman,” who had reportedly been found unconscious by the caller, according to the initial police dispatch.

Boardman is now the fourth pedestrian to be killed on Fairfax County roads this year. At this time in 2022, there had been six fatal pedestrian crashes, per the FCPD.

As @FairfaxCountyPD releases more information about this morning fatal pedestrian event, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Boardman. https://t.co/x7A38IAmc5 pic.twitter.com/mxLSZmD2Pf

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) May 8, 2023

A pedestrian was killed after being run over by a fire engine near the Reston Glade Apartments early this morning (Monday).

A medical unit with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched to Glade Drive at Dosnia Court near Dogwood Elementary School for a medical emergency around 2:19 a.m., according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Around the same time, Fairfax County police officers were dispatched to Dogwood Elementary School for a “suspicious person” after a caller reported an apparently unconscious woman on the ground.

At 2:24 a.m., a fire department responder told the dispatcher that the “patient’s in the road, run over by engine 31. Appears to be DOA.”

A police officer said at 2:30 a.m. that the road would need to be shut down.

“The fire truck actually struck this individual,” the officer said.

Detectives with the FCPD’s Crash Reconstruction Unit were sent to the scene of what it described as a “fatal pedestrian crash involving @ffxfirerescue,” the department tweeted shortly after 4 a.m.

Glade Drive was closed for over an hour between Laurel Glade Drive and Rosedown Drive.

The roadway is open. Follow our blog for future updates. https://t.co/YUigMm3yDx

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) May 8, 2023

Fox Mill Road Closed for Stormwater Pipe Replacement — Fox Mill Road (Route 665) will be closed to through traffic between Waples Mill Road and Vale Road from “Monday, May 8 through Wednesday, May 10 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day…Traffic will not be able to go beyond the point of pipe replacement (near 3283 Fox Mill Road, adjacent to Lake Edge Way) in either direction.” [VDOT]

Motorcyclist Killed in Route 1 Crash — “Around 5:40 p.m. Saturday, officers with the Fairfax County Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 1 and Birch Crest Way in Lorton, Virginia. Police say the driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead. Their identity has not yet been revealed.” [WUSA9]

Metro’s Yellow Line Resumes Service — Service across the Potomac River returned to Metro’s Yellow Line yesterday “following an eight-month rehabilitation project to repair the deteriorating 1970’s tunnel and bridge. The reopening, announced last month, will provide a faster, more direct connection for customers between Virginia and downtown D.C.” [Inside NoVA]

Campaign Website Draws Warning of Legal Action — “A representative of Democrat Chap Petersen’s campaign sent a cease and desist letter to Saddam Azlan Salim, his opponent in the District 37 race for the Virginia Senate.” The letter argued that Salim’s campaign is infringing on domain and trademark rights by attempting to register websites referring to Petersen, which it says may mislead voters. [Patch]

Suspect in December Shooting Incidents Arrested — “On May 4, 2023 City of Fairfax Police arrested a subject in connection with two shootings that occurred on Fairfax Boulevard between Fairchester Drive and Lion Run on December 8, 2022.” In one incident, a driver sustained “minor injuries,” and in another, an occupied vehicle about two miles away was struck, but the lone occupant wasn’t injured. [City of Fairfax]

Clifton Townhouse Fire Causes $155,000 in Damages — “On Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 8:53 p.m., units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched for a reported townhouse fire in the 13500 block of Canada Goose Court.” Three people were displaced by the fire, which investigators determined was started by “improperly discarded smoking materials.” [FCFRD]

Community Garden Under Construction in Lorton — “Work is steadily progressing on the development of the new community garden at the former Nike Missile Site in Lorton. Contractors are building a total of 19 garden plots with three raised beds each at the 1.4-acre site, which is located at Laurel Hill Park.” The garden is expected to be finished and open this summer. [On the MoVe]

Tysons Theater Announces New Season — “1st Stage has announced its 2023-2024 season, which will begin with the Logan Festival of Solo Performance from July 13 to 23, 2023.” Shows will include the Tony-nominated “The Nance” and an adaptation of Chaim Potok’s novel “The Chosen,” the theater’s second time adapting Potok’s work after the first one in 2016 became “the most successful production in 1st Stage’s history.” [DC Theater Arts]

It’s Monday — Passing showers. Overcast. Mild. High of 66 and low of 53. Sunrise at 6:02 am and sunset at 8:07 pm. [Weather.gov]

(Updated at 11:40 a.m.) One person was killed early this morning (Tuesday) after their vehicle apparently drove off the Capital Beltway (I-495) near the Springfield Mixing Bowl and crashed onto railroad tracks below.

An initial investigation indicates that a Kia was headed west on I-495 towards northbound I-395 when it veered off the interstate near exit 170B, according to Virginia State Police, which responded at 1:19 a.m.

“The vehicle went over the side cement barrier and landed on the railroad tracks below. The impact of the crash caused the vehicle to immediately catch fire,” the VSP said in a news release.

In an update at 11:48 a.m., police confirmed that the person who died was the Kia’s driver and lone occupant.

Some ramps at the interchange were closed, but the scene has now been cleared, and Virginia Railway Express trains are up and running, WTOP reported shortly after 6:30 a.m.

“The remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for examination, autopsy and positive identification,” the VSP said.

NEW: Early reports a car went off of I-395N ramp from Beltway & onto railroad tracks below. Vehicle is on fire. Follow @WTOPtraffic for details. @ffxnow @CordellTraffic @RealTimeNews10 #traffic #vatraffic @SafetyVid pic.twitter.com/T6G2gGQUqN

— Dave Statter (@STATter911) May 2, 2023

Springfield: Mixing Bowl ramps 495 EB (Outer Loop) to 395 NB and 495 WB (Inner Loop) to 395 NB closed due to crash. Pls use alternate route.

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) May 2, 2023

Photo via Google Maps

County’s Last Bed Bath & Beyond to Close — After three Fairfax County locations closed earlier this year, Bed Bath & Beyond’s recent bankruptcy filing means the last holdout in Bailey’s Crossroads will soon follow suit. With all 360 remaining stores shuttering by June 30, sales after tomorrow (Wednesday) will be final, and stores will stop accepting gift cards on May 8. [Annandale Today]

Motorcyclist Dies in Crash on I-66 — “A 29-year-old motorcyclist died late Friday night after a crash on Interstate 66 in Fairfax County, Virginia State Police say. Jeffrey R. Armstrong, of Sterling, was driving a 2006 Suzuki GSX east on I-66 near mile marker 50 at around 11:25 p.m. Friday when police said the cycle rear ended a 2003 Honda Odyssey, ejecting him from the bike.” [WTOP]

Former FCPD Officer in Taser Incident Hired in Minneapolis — “A former Fairfax County police officer, who was charged with assault in June 2020 after bodycam video showed him arriving and quickly firing his Taser at a disoriented Black man, is now under investigation by the Minnesota police department that hired him.” [FOX5]

New Guidance Issued on Covid Vaccines — “On April 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced simplified COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.” As of Friday (April 21), Virginia has implemented the new rules allowing “individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness to receive an optional additional dose of the updated (bivalent) mRNA vaccine.” [Fairfax County Health Department]

Virginia Driver’s Licenses Get New, More Secure Design — “New driver’s license and ID card designs are rolling out in Virginia starting today, the Commonwealth’s Department of Motor Vehicles announced Monday. The design features the Richmond Capitol building’s rotunda dome, an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (the state insect), and an American Dogwood (the state flower).” [DCist]

Sen. Warner Discusses Issues Affecting Korean American Community — “In a meeting with the Korean community in Annandale April 22, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) spoke about issues ranging from the need to support local businesses to the reunification of Korea. Warner said he supports initiatives to help small businesses gain access to capital, increased investments in education and affordable housing, and efforts to crack down on hate crimes against Asians.” [Annandale Today]

Virginia Resumes Grading Schools on Absenteeism — “During the pandemic, the state suspended using a school’s chronic absenteeism rate as a factor in measuring school performance. But this week, the Virginia Board of Education shot down a proposal to extend that suspension to the 2022-2023 school year, meaning that for the first time since classrooms went virtual, attendance will be considered in school accreditation.” [The Washington Post]

Reston Library to Hold Book Sale This Week — “This is our largest one, typically held twice a year at Reston Regional. We offer 35-40,000 items, in over 20 categories. There are NO children’s books at these sales.” After a preview tomorrow, the sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday (April 30). [Friends of Reston Regional Library]

It’s Tuesday — Broken clouds. Cool. High of 61 and low of 41. Sunrise at 6:18 am and sunset at 7:54 pm. [Weather.gov]

Bijan Ghaisar’s Family to Settle Lawsuit Over Shooting — “The family of Bijan Ghaisar, shot dead by two U.S. Park Police officers as he slowly drove his Jeep Grand Cherokee away from them in 2017, agreed to settle their lawsuit against the agency for $5 million, according to a court filing Friday.” The agreement still needs to be approved by a judge. [The Washington Post]

Fatal Crash in Chantilly Under Investigation — “A 39-year-old man died in a car crash in Chantilly, Virginia Saturday morning after speeding away from a DWI checkpoint, according to Fairfax County Police. Around 1:15 a.m. officers responded to a two-car crash near the intersection of Lee Highway and Bull Run Post Office Road. Once on scene, they found a man, later identified as Ashton Robinson, who had been thrown from his car.” [WUSA9]

Scotts Run Fire Station Unveils Official Patch — “Introducing the official station patch of Station 44, Scott’s Run! The design captures a few of the area’s features, including the unique and still evolving skyline and a Metro train. It highlights all three apparatus assigned to the station, and includes an NFPA 704 placard representing membership in the Hazardous Materials Response Team.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

TV Behind Fire at Centreville Townhouse — Investigators have determined that a townhouse fire on April 19 in the 14600 block of Seasons Drive started in the living room after an “electrical event involving a flat panel television.” Four people and three dogs were displaced by the fire, which caused about $30,000 in property damages. [FCFRD]

Three Arrested for Retail Fraud in Tysons — “On March 23, our Tysons Urban Team (TUT) was alerted to multiple traveling organized retail theft groups performing fraudulent purchases and returns in a neighboring jurisdiction. The next day, TUT officers observed three men at Tysons Corner Center making fraudulent merchandise returns. The men were arrested with 5 fraudulent ID’s, 154 items of merchandise valued at $33k, and 35 gift cards valued at $20k.” [FCPD/Facebook]

Vienna Considers Lower Tax Rate — “A lower real estate tax rate is being considered in Vienna as a public hearing approaches on Monday, April 24. Town Manager Mercury Payton’s 2023-2024 budget proposal calls for reducing the rate from 20.5 cents per $100 of assessed value to 20.25 cents per $100 of assessed value…However, Town Council is considering an even lower rate than what was proposed — 19.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.” [Patch]

Virginia High School Athletes May Be Able to Make Money — “The Virginia High School League is moving toward allowing high school athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.” An executive committee unanimously recommended a proposal in January that would let athletes make money by selling autographs, making personal appearances, and other means. The proposal is scheduled to get a second vote on May 3. [Inside NoVA]

Workhouse “LOVE” Sign Gets New Look — “The LOVEworks sign at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton has a fresh new look thanks to the meticulous work of fiber artist Marisela Rumberg. Rumberg, a native of Mexico and award-winning quilter who has had an art studio at the Workhouse since 2015, specializes in free-motion quilting and Zentangle — a form of abstract art based on structured patterns.” [On the MoVe]

It’s Monday — Afternoon clouds. Refreshingly cool. High of 60 and low of 42. Sunrise at 6:19 am and sunset at 7:53 pm. [Weather.gov]

(Updated at 4:50 p.m.) One person died and two people were seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash at the Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) and Patrick Henry Drive intersection in Seven Corners early this morning (Friday).

Emergency responders with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to the scene of a crash with injuries around 1:11 a.m., according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

A preliminary investigation indicated that a 2016 Honda Accord headed east on Arlington Blvd crashed into a 2018 Honda Civic that was trying to make “an abrupt U-turn” from the far-right lane of eastbound Arlington Blvd., the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release.

According to a dispatcher, one of the vehicles in the crash caught on fire. Christina Hamilton, 37, who’s believed to have been the Civic driver, died after being transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital.

The driver and a passenger in the Accord were hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening.

Witnesses told responders that another man had fled the scene and was seen headed toward the nearby Target store. However, police now say the crash doesn’t appear to have been a hit-and-run.

“At this time, detectives do not believe there is anyone outstanding,” the FCPD said. “Detectives continue to investigate to confirm Hamilton was the driver of the Civic.”

Route 50 was closed to traffic between Olin Drive and Patrick Henry until shortly before 6 a.m, according to police.

This is the third fatal crash on Fairfax County roads in 2023 that didn’t involve pedestrians, following a single-vehicle crash on Braddock Road in February and the Jan. 10 crash on Lee Chapel Road that killed two teens. At this time last year, the FCPD had recorded two non-pedestrian-involved fatal crashes.

There have been a total of seven traffic fatalities in the county this year, including highway crashes and pedestrians, according to state data.

Rt. 50 is back open in both directions. The patients remain hospitalized. Follow our blog for updates https://t.co/QsTzdpgf0U

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) April 21, 2023

CRASH with FIRE and THREE CRITICAL INJURIES — Arlington Blvd at Patrick Henry Dr in Seven Corners. Two-vehicle crash with fire and *3* CRITICALLY injured with one in cardiac arrest. h/t @HCBright10 #VATraffic @ffxnow pic.twitter.com/iOXE1rq91R

— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) April 21, 2023

Photo via Google Maps