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Motorcyclist killed in crash with car on Old Keene Mill Road

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash at the Old Keene Mill Road and Shiplett Blvd intersection in Burke (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 8:25 p.m.) A motorcyclist was killed last night (Wednesday) in a two-vehicle crash just outside the Rolling Valley shopping mall in Burke, police say.

Officers and a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue medic were dispatched to the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road and Shiplett Blvd around 10:05 p.m. for a crash involving a motorcycle and car, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

According to a dispatcher, 911 callers reported that the motorcyclist didn’t appear to be moving or conscious.

“Driver…kept saying he didn’t see him,” the dispatcher said.

The motorcycle driver, identified as 50-year-old Burke resident Mohab Helmy, was declared dead at the scene, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release.

The intersection was closed to traffic as police investigated the crash until 1:43 a.m. today (Thursday).

Based on a preliminary investigation, detectives believe Helmy crashed into the driver’s side of a 2005 Toyota sedan while traveling west in the left through-lane of Old Keene Mill Road on a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle, the FCPD said.

The Toyota driver was attempting to turn left onto Old Keene Mill out of the Rolling Valley shopping center when the crash occurred, according to police.

“The driver of the Toyota remained on scene and was uninjured,” the police department said. “[Crash Reconstruction Unit] detectives continue to investigate the crash.”

This is Fairfax County’s second fatal motorcycle crash in 2024 after a 19-year-old man died last month in a crash on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) in Bailey’s Crossroads. The driver in that March 10 collision was charged with failing to yield while making a left turn.

Overall, 10 people have been killed in vehicle crashes this year, not including pedestrians — doubling the five fatalities recorded at this time in 2023, according to the FCPD.

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Overnight road and ramp closures start tonight at I-66 interchange in Vienna

Anyone traveling overnight around I-66 in Vienna may have to take some substantial detours.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said overnight closures are planned on Nutley Street S and the I-66 ramps connected to it.

The closures are planned starting tonight (Thursday) and will occur again tomorrow (Friday) and Monday (April 15). The closures will start at 10 p.m. and continue until 5 a.m.

The closure means drivers on Nutley Street will need to take a detour around Virginia Venter Blvd to get around the interchange.

VDOT said the work is part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. The work is weather-dependent and could be rescheduled if inclement conditions occur.

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Overturned truck spills jet fuel at Fort Belvoir, prompting environmental review

Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department respond to a fuel spill at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir on April 3, 2024 (courtesy of Fort Belvoir Fire Emergency Services)

Clean-up efforts are underway at Fort Belvoir after a truck overturned near its airfield yesterday (Wednesday), spilling thousands of gallons of jet fuel and temporarily closing part of Richmond Highway.

Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to the Davison Army Airfield (6954 Britten Drive) around 6:30 p.m. in response to an overturned government fuel truck.

“Approximately 3,000 gallons of JP8, commonly used in aviation equipment, spilled onto the roadway, causing the temporary closure of Richmond Highway,” Fort Belvoir said this morning (Thursday) in a news release.

According to the Army base, first responders and the Fort Belvoir Environmental Division were able to quickly contain the initial spill and start clean-up efforts “to minimize the impact to the surrounding environment.”

Crews remained at the scene into the early hours of this morning, Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services said. No injuries were reported, but the fuel truck driver was taken to a hospital “for further evaluation.”

Fire officials say lingering odors from the spilled fuel don’t pose any threat to people’s health.

The partial closure of Richmond Highway was lifted around 11 p.m., according to a Fort Belvoir spokesperson.

The base says it’s continuing to assess the spill’s environmental impacts and will provide updates on the clean-up and mitigation operations as needed through its social media channels.

“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our community and the preservation of the environment,” Fort Belvoir said. “Therefore, we are working closely with several environmental agencies to monitor and mitigate the impact of the spill.”

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Pipe replacement will force one-day closure of Fox Mill Road in Herndon

Fox Mill Road in Herndon will be closed on April 1 (via VDOT)

Fox Mill Road will be closed at the beginning of next month to allow for a pipe replacement.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews are replacing a drainage pipe, prompting the closure between Pinecrest Road and John Milton Drive in Herndon on Monday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Individuals who need to access properties along Fox Mill Road will still have access, but drivers will not be allowed to go beyond the point where the pipe is being replaced, which will be located roughly at 2516 Fox Mill Road near Pinecrest Road.

“Through traffic will be detoured via Pinecrest Road, Viking Drive (Route 5340) and John Milton Drive back to Fox Mill Road. Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs,” VDOT said in a press release.

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JUST IN: Man dies in Richmond Highway corridor’s fourth fatal crash this month

Memorial Street is closed approaching Richmond Highway after a fatal single-vehicle crash (via Google Maps)

Another person has been killed in a crash in the Richmond Highway corridor.

Police and emergency medical services were dispatched to Memorial Street at Richmond Highway for a single-vehicle crash around 9:24 a.m. today (Thursday), according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

An adult man was transported to a hospital in life-threatening condition. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital, the Fairfax County Police Department said at 10:37 a.m.

“Memorial St is closed as our Crash Reconstruction Unit investigates,” the police department tweeted.

Just minutes earlier, around 9:21 a.m., Richmond Highway was shut down in both directions in the Lorton area after a multiple-vehicle crash at Hassett Street. Police said at 10:16 a.m. that an adult woman was taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

“Please use an alternate route,” the FCPD said.

There have now been four fatal crashes along Richmond Highway this month.

A man was arrested on Sunday (Feb. 18) after a reported hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian at the Brevard Court intersection in Woodlawn, and another pedestrian died in a crash at Belfield Road in Belle Haven on Feb. 15. In addition, a 19-year-old driver died after rear-ending a dump truck in Lorton on Feb. 14.

Map via Google Maps

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Northern GW Parkway to close with snow expected Friday night

A U.S. Postal Service truck in Vienna during the Jan. 19, 2024 snowstorm (photo by Amy Woolsey)

(Updated at 5 p.m.) The northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway will close tonight (Friday) in anticipation of some snowfall, the National Park Service says.

The closure will start at 7 p.m. and extend from the Capital Beltway (I-495) in McLean to Spout Run in Arlington.

“This closure is necessary to ensure the proper treatment of the roadway and to restore the parkway to safe travel conditions,” the park service said in its announcement of the closure this morning. “Crews will work diligently to treat the road for safe passage of drivers. Drivers should anticipate delays in reopening the northern section of the parkway as crews are required to use smaller equipment than usual to accommodate the lane widths and configurations.”

Drivers are advised to plan to use an alternate route.

As rehabilitation work continues on the northern GW Parkway, the NPS instituted a policy this winter of closing the road whenever 2 or more inches of snow are forecast.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory this morning for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County that will be in effect from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday). Two to four inches of snow are expected, though some areas could potentially see as many as six inches, according to the advisory.

The impending storm has already prompted the Town of Vienna to cancel classes that were scheduled for tomorrow at the Vienna Community Center and Bowman House.

“The Community Center is expected to open at 10:30 a.m. for rentals and public use,” the town said in a tweet.

Fairfax County Public Schools has nixed all activities set to take place on school grounds before noon tomorrow, including extracurricular activities, athletic team practices and non-FCPS community and recreational programs.

Here’s the full advisory from the NWS:

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST SATURDAY…

* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals up to 6 inches possible under heavier snow bands.

* WHERE…Portions of central Maryland, The District of Columbia, and northern Virginia.

* WHEN…From 11 PM this evening to 7 AM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible for a few hours under the heaviest snow bands. Visibility may be reduced to less than one half mile at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

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UPDATED: Driver dies after rear-ending dump truck on Richmond Highway in Lorton

Northbound Richmond Highway is closed at Gunston Road in Lorton after a fatal crash at the Giles Run intersection (via VDOT)

(Updated at 2:25 p.m. on 2/15/2024) A 19-year-old driver was killed Wednesday (Feb. 14) when he crashed into a dump truck on Richmond Highway, police say.

Police and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units were called to the intersection of Richmond Highway (Route 1) and Giles Run Road around 6:25 a.m. for the crash, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

“Caller’s advising he’s in a dump truck,” the dispatcher said, noting that at least one of the vehicles was reportedly overturned. “…The whole intersection is blocked.”

One of the drivers, an adult man, was declared dead at the scene, the Fairfax County Police Department said on Twitter at 7:14 a.m.

Richmond Highway was closed in both directions from Gunston Road to the exit ramp off I-95 while police investigated.

In an update released today (Thursday), the FCPD identified the man who died as Occoquan resident Jason Emeric Brunsman.

A preliminary investigation found that Brunsman was driving south on Richmond Highway in a Ford Transit van when he rear-ended a roll-back dumpster truck that was waiting to turn left onto Giles Run Road. The dump truck driver wasn’t injured in the crash, according to police.

“Preliminarily, detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash and are investigating to determine if speed was a factor,” the FCPD said.

Brunsman was the sixth person to be killed in a traffic crash in Fairfax County this year, the police department says. At this time in 2023, there had been three fatalities.

Image via VDOT

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Columbia Pike still closed after vehicle crash into house, utility pole in Bailey’s Crossroads

Downed utility pole on Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads (via FCPD/Twitter)

Columbia Pike has been closed for more than 12 hours near Bailey’s Crossroads after a vehicle crashed into a house and utility pole last night (Sunday), taking out the pole and, with it, the area’s electricity.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue investigators were dispatched to Columbia Pike at Powell Lane around 7:16 p.m. for the single-vehicle crash, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Upon arriving at the scene, a responder reported to the dispatcher that one vehicle drove into a house, but there didn’t appear to be any structural damage.

“I do have a major power line blocking Columbia Pike in both directions,” he said.

No injuries were reported in the crash, but the downed utility pole resulted in power outages for 1,893 Dominion Energy customers, Dominion spokesperson Peggy Fox said shortly before 10 p.m.

The Fairfax County Police Department warned that the road closure would extend through the morning commute due to “extensive damage” at the Blair Road intersection.

As of 10:20 a.m., Columbia Pike remains closed in both directions, prompting the FCPD to advise drivers to find “an alternate route.” Dominion Energy still has 365 customers in Bailey’s Crossroads without power, according to the utility company’s outage map.

“We expect to bring power back by noon,” Fox said in a tweet. “Thanks for your patience. Avoid the area if possible.”

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Road near Westfield High School shut down due to ‘significant’ gas leak

A Fairfax County Fire and Rescue hazmat unit is on the scene of a gas leak on Willard Road in Chantilly (via FCFRD/Twitter)

(Updated at 1:30 p.m.) An 8-inch natural gas line was ruptured near Westfield High School this morning (Wednesday), forcing a closure of Willard Road in Chantilly.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responders, including a hazmat team, were dispatched to the 14800 block of Willard Road around 10:26 a.m. for a “hazardous material emergency,” according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

There was “a significant leak” that would require a shutdown of both sides of Willard between Lee Road and Stonecroft Blvd, according to responders on the scene.

A hazmat worker said at 10:54 a.m. that the nearby CARSTAR Centreville Collision Center was evacuated after workers reported an odor, per the scanner. The worker later told the dispatcher that “no abnormal readings” were detected in the auto shop.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department initially said a 2-inch line had been struck, but after arriving at the scene, Washington Gas workers determined that the affected line was 8 inches wide.

An FCFRD spokesperson told FFXnow no other details about the cause of the struck gas line were available, as of 12:42 p.m.

The damage was caused by a third party, but there’s “no confirmation that it was from construction,” a Washington Gas spokesperson says.

“Crews on site shut gas off just after noon,” Washington Gas said. “No estimate has been given on repairs.”

The fire department said its units “will be on scene for an undetermined amount of time.” Community members are advised to find alternate travel routes.

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JUST IN: FCPS calls off classes on Tuesday, Fairfax Connector reduces service due to snow

A man and kids walk in the snow past Appletree preschool in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools is using up its first snow day of the year, canceling all classes and other activities on school grounds tomorrow (Tuesday) as flurries continue to blanket the D.C. area.

Affected activities include extracurricular programs, sports practices, field trips, outside recreation classes, adult education classes and the School Age Child Care (SACC) centers.

FCPS has 11 snow days built into its calendar, and unlike in the past couple of years, students don’t need to fear a shift to virtual classes after the first five days.

A Winter Weather Advisory is currently in effect for the county through 7 a.m. tomorrow. The National Weather Service projects that this storm could result in two to three inches of snow accumulation, along with possible freezing rain and drizzle, according to the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management.

“Snow intensity will increase this evening before tapering off overnight,” the NWS said, warning that the “hazardous” road conditions could still affect tomorrow’s morning commute.

In anticipation of the roadways becoming a challenge, Fairfax Connector will reduce service starting at 8 p.m. today (Monday). The bus system will continue running several routes on a holiday weekday service, but some will end at or around 8 p.m.

Tomorrow, the Connector will implement a Saturday service schedule. A list of the specific routes that will be provided can be found on the Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s website, and minute-by-minute status updates will be available through BusTracker.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway has been temporarily closed in the McLean area. Due to ongoing construction, the National Park Service previously announced that the section from I-495 to Spout Run in Arlington would close if two or more inches of snow are forecast.

Here’s the full message from the NPS:

The George Washington Memorial Parkway, from 495 to Spout Run, is closed due to the forecasted severe winter weather in the area. This closure is necessary to ensure the proper treatment of the roadway and to restore the parkway to safe travel conditions. Crews will work diligently to treat the road for safe passage of drivers. Drivers should anticipate delays in reopening the northern section of the parkway as crews are required to use smaller equipment than usual to accommodate the lane widths and configurations. Please plan to use alternate routes.

A follow-up alert will be distributed once the parkway has reopened. Thank you in advance for your patience.

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