crash

Driver Arrested After Car Crashes Next to Cemetery Metro Entrance

By ARLnow.com
1/5

(Updated at 11:10 a.m.) A man was arrested early this morning after allegedly fleeing from police and crashing his car next to the Arlington National Cemetery Metro entrance.

Around 12:20 a.m., a car took off when an Arlington County police officer attempted a traffic stop on Route 110, near the Pentagon. Following protocol, the officer did not attempt to chase the car. A short time later, however, another officer reported via radio that a car had run off Memorial Drive and crashed through some bushes next to the Arlington National Cemetery Metro station. The car, a Saturn sedan, was later confirmed to be the same one that did not stop for the first officer.

The alleged driver of the car was found about an hour later during a search of the surrounding area, parts of which are heavily wooded. The search involved police dogs, and the U.S. Park Police Eagle helicopter. In addition to Arlington County and U.S. Park police, Metro Transit police assisted at the scene.

A row of bushes between the escalators and elevator to the Metro station suffered noticeable damage as a result of the wreck. The car came to rest about 10 yards away from fencing around the station. We’re told it would have been visible from the station platforms.

It’s unclear whether there were any passengers in the car, but as of 2:30 a.m. no other arrests had been made.

The driver is being held on a $6,000 bond, and was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, felony eluding and driving while revoked, according to police.

Overturned Vehicle on Spout Run Parkway

By ARLnow.com

gw-pkwy-wreck-stormpins(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) A crash involving an overturned vehicle on the Spout Run Parkway is causing rush hour traffic impacts.

The accident happened near Lorcom Lane, possibly at the turn-around between Lorcom Lane and the GW Parkway.

Two vehicles were reportedly involved in the wreck and one vehicle flipped on its roof. An individual was stuck in the overturned vehicle but seemed to to be okay, according to scanner traffic.

Drivers should expect significant traffic impacts in the area. It’s currently unclear whether the Parkway is blocked or if there are only lane closures in place.

Photo courtesy @StormPins

TRAFFIC ALERT: I-395 HOV Closed Due to Tractor Trailer Accident

By ARLnow.com

395-truck-axUpdate at 10:10 a.m. — One lane of traffic is now squeezing by to the left of the accident while crews work to clean up the spill and clear the scene. HOV traffic is backed up to Shirlington circle.

The HOV lanes of I-395 have been shut down due to a jackknifed tractor trailer that struck the highway wall divide.

Police have blocked traffic because the truck is leaking fuel and they fear it might ignite. The fuel is coming from a 100+ gallon saddle tank, according to scanner traffic. A hazmat team is being dispatched to the scene.

A long line of northbound traffic is now at a standstill in the HOV lanes.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Snow tires by BrianMKA

Chamber Wants State Control of Energy Plan — One of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s legislative goals this year is to have the state take control of energy efficiency and green building standards. The Chamber’s call for statewide objectives and policies comes as Arlington is in the latter stages of developing its own Community Energy Plan. “The Chamber does not support the delegation of authority to localities to establish green-building codes and requirements on a locality-by-locality basis,” the group wrote. [Sun Gazette]

VSP Responds to Crashes During Storm — Yesterday’s snow, ice and rain storm resulted in dozens of crashes on Northern Virginia highways. Virginia State Police’s Fairfax division (which includes Arlington) responded to 69 crashes, 46 disabled vehicles and a total of 328 calls for service yesterday, according to VSP spokeswoman Corinne Geller. Statewide, VSP responded to 686 crashes, including one fatal wreck in Campbell County, near Lynchburg.

Population Decline Coming? — Updated at 12:55 p.m. — A projection by researchers at the University of Virginia suggests that Arlington’s population will, against all conventional wisdom, actually decline in coming years. In the 2010 census Arlington had a population of 207,627; by 2040, the projection suggest the population will shrink to 197,065. The researchers cautioned against putting too much faith in the Arlington numbers. As a whole, Virginia is projected to grow, with some 2 million additional residents statewide by 2040. Arlington’s planning division projects a population of 252,400 in 2040. [Sun Gazette]

Morning Commute: Accidents, Ice, and a Water Main Break

By ARLnow.com

A serious single vehicle crash on Lee Highway, possibly caused by icy conditions (photo courtesy @CAPT258)(Updated at 10:10 a.m.) Light snow and freezing rain made for a slick commute for those who had to head in to work this morning

There have been numerous accidents reported on local roads and highways, including several on the 1700 block of Lee Highway, near the intersection with N. Scott Street. Among those was a serious one-vehicle crash involving a minivan that ran off the road and into a wall along I-66.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 1:00 p.m. In an Arlington Alert, the county asked residents to drive carefully.

“The weather should turn to all rain after 10 AM,” the alert said. “Please drive with caution.”

Meanwhile, a water main break has shut down the eastbound lanes of Columbia Pike at S. Buchanan Street. Repairs are expected to “last into the afternoon.”

Photo courtesy @CAPT258

UPDATE: Man Dies After Glebe Road Accident

By ARLnow.com
1/3

(Updated at 10:25 a.m.) All northbound and southbound lanes of N. Glebe Road were closed between Vernon Street and Chesterbrook Road during the evening rush hour due to a serious single-vehicle wreck.

An SUV ran into a utility pole and flipped on its side on the 3900 block of N. Glebe Road around 5:00 p.m. tonight. The driver suffered an apparent cardiac arrest, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. Paramedics attempted to revive the man, but he was later pronounced dead at Virginia Hospital Center.

A dog that was in the vehicle at the time of the accident did survive, we’re told.

As of 7:00 p.m., Dominion was on scene preparing to clean up and replace the damaged utility pole and downed power wires. Police were preparing to open the southbound lanes of Glebe to two-way traffic.

Two Hurt in SUV Rollover Accident Friday Night

By ARLnow.com

Two elderly women were taken to the hospital Friday night after an SUV rollover accident on Carlin Springs Road near Route 50.

The accident happened around 5:30 p.m. The women, driving in a hybrid Ford SUV, were attempting to take the ramp to Route 50 when they were T-boned by the driver of a Mercedes sedan, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. The vehicle rolled onto its side and against a light pole.

Firefighters had to extricate the women from the SUV using non-traditional means, Sternbeck said, since the roof of the vehicle was leaning against the pole. The women suffered minor injuries and were taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital.

No charges have been filed against either driver at this time, Sternbeck said.

Photo courtesy Steve Young

Vehicle Flips Over on Washington Blvd Near I-395

By ARLnow.com

(Update at 2:40 p.m.) A vehicle flipped on its side on westbound Washington Boulevard this afternoon.

The accident occurred just past noon between I-395 and Columbia Pike, near the scene of a wreck that happened last week. A red vehicle — a Ford minivan or SUV with D.C. tags — somehow flipped on its side on a downhill stretch of Washington Boulevard near the VDOT maintenance yard. Temporary jersey barriers were in place near where the accident took place, apparently for the Washington Blvd/Columbia Pike bridge project.

One occupant suffered a shoulder injury as a result of the single-vehicle accident, according to scanner traffic. A tractor trailer was stopped near the wreck, but had no apparent damage.

The stretch of Washington Boulevard was closed for about an hour but reopened around 1:15 p.m.

 

TRAFFIC ALERT — Serious Accident on I-395

By ARLnow.com

Update at 9:20 a.m. — NB I-395 has partially reopened.

(Update at 8:40 a.m.) Traffic on northbound I-395 is completely blocked following a serious multi-vehicle accident near Crystal City.

Three vehicles are involved, according to Arlington County Police spokesman: a Toyota Corolla, a white van and a box truck. The white van rolled on its side, trapping its two occupants, Sternbeck said. Both have since been extricated from the vehicle and are being transported to a local hospital.

Three ambulances have been requested to the scene for two to three reported injuries. The van was said to be carrying propane tanks, but no hazmat response was required.

I-395 northbound is completely blocked at Route 110. Traffic is being diverted onto the HOV lanes of 395.

Car Drives Through Yard, Across Street, into Front of Building

By ARLnow.com

An elderly driver was involved in a bizarre accident near Crystal City this afternoon.

The accident happened around 4:00 p.m. on the 700 block of 23rd Street S. Witnesses say an elderly driver in a white sedan pulled out of a commercial driveway, slammed into the side of passing minivan, continued driving across the street and into the front yard of Linden Resources, then back across the street and into the front of a small office building.

The elderly male driver seemed shaken up by his car’s airbag but not seriously injured, witnesses said. He was transported via ambulance to a local hospital. No other injuries were reported.

The office building, which houses NATO offices among other tenants, did not suffer any significant, apparent damage. Linden Resources’ flower bed was torn up and its front walkway railing was knocked over.

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Delays on I-395 Following Accident in HOV Lanes

By ARLnow.com

Drivers should expect significant delays on southbound I-395 following an accident in the HOV lanes.

Initial reports suggest the accident involved an off-duty police officer in his or her personal vehicle. The HOV lanes are partially blocked near Glebe Road as a result of the accident. HOV traffic is getting by on the shoulder.

At least one mainline southbound and northbound lane of I-395 is also blocked. Southbound traffic is currently slowing near the Pentagon.

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