Witnesses Sought in Fatal Crash

Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release: 09/297/0279/tjw/(7)
November 19, 2009

Update: Witnesses Sought in Fatal Crash

Crash Reconstruction detectives are seeking any witnesses to the fatal crash that occurred around 5 p.m. on October 24. A sign board will be placed on the Fairfax County Parkway in the area of the crash, which will ask witnesses to call Detective Keevill at 703-280-0581.

Fatal Crash Takes Two Lives

             West Springfield District – A man and a woman died after a four-vehicle crash on Saturday, October 24 on the Fairfax County Parkway in the Pohick area. An investigation determined that a 2005 Toyota Corolla was headed northbound on the Fairfax County Parkway just prior to Rolling Road around 5 p.m. when the driver lost control and struck a 2004 Honda Pilot also headed north. Both vehicles crossed over the median into the southbound lanes and struck two vehicles headed south—a 1997 Toyota Tacoma and a 2000 BMW 528i. Three vehicles came to rest along the guardrail of the southbound lanes and one vehicle stopped in the median.

            There were two adults and three young girls inside the Honda Pilot; the adults, Michael K. Merrill, 47, and Jeanne M. Merrill, 42, of 7404 Rocky Ravine Drive in Fairfax Station, were pronounced dead at the scene. The three children, 13 years old, 3 years old and 1 year old, were transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The girls were later released to family members.

            The driver of the Toyota pickup truck was also transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. No one else involved in the crash required medical attention.

            Crash Reconstruction detectives continue to investigate. Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash, but detectives are investigating the possibility that weather conditions may have played a role. This is the 26^th fatal crash in Fairfax County. Last year at this time, there were 19 fatal crashes.

            Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

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