Crime & Safety
Fairfax County Police Officer Put on Restricted Duty After Crash in Bailey's Crossroads
Police say officer who crashed into car on Leesburg Pike was speeding and did not have lights or siren engaged.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- A Fairfax County Police officer was placed on restricted duty Wednesday following a crash in Falls Church involving another driver, Fairfax County Police announced Wednesday afternoon.
The officer, who has been with the department for two years, was responding to a call for a disorderly man in the 6100 block of Arlington Boulevard at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. The officer was driving a marked, 2011 Ford Crown Victoria westbound on Leesburg Pike, approaching the intersection of Patrick Henry Drive.
A 2000 Toyota Sienna van, driven by a 53-year-old man, was eastbound on Leesburg Pike and tried to make a left turn onto Patrick Henry Drive, in front of the marked cruiser. The vehicles collided in the intersection (see map below). Using his radio, the officer notified police dispatch of the crash and then immediately ran to the Toyota to try and help the driver. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department arrived and took the driver of the Toyota to the hospital where he remains.
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Detectives from the Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU) responded to investigate the crash. The preliminary investigation has revealed that the officer involved was traveling above the posted speed limit without his emergency equipment activated, and detectives are working to determine to what extent the officer’s speed may have contributed to this crash, FCPD reported.
The officer is on restricted duty pending the outcome of two parallel investigations; one administrative and one criminal, police said.
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The cruiser was equipped with an in-car video system. However, investigators learned Wednesday that the video cannot be retrieved due to the damage to the video system, police said. Crash Reconstruction detectives will complete their investigation and present the facts to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, who will make the appropriate decision on charges, according to police.
Anyone who witnessed this crash or with information about this incident is asked to contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543, or Crime Solvers electronically by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637) or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
PHOTO: FCPD cruiser photo/Patch archive
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