Death Reported In Fairfax County DUI Crash Injuring 5 Other Teens

IDYLWOOD, VA — One teen has died in the crash that injured five other teens in the Falls Church area, according to Fairfax County Police.

Police provided an update Monday saying a teen passenger has died of injuries from the Nov. 20 crash. Four other juveniles remain hospitalized, while other teens involved in the crash have been released from the hospital. The vehicle occupants of the crash are between aged 14 and 17.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up for the family of the teen, identified as a Longfellow Middle School student. His brother, another teen in the vehicle, is a McLean High School student and was released from the hospital, the fundraiser said.

The 17-year-old driver was arrested for DUI, but charges were not initially placed after consultation with the Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney's office. Detectives are working with the prosecutor's office to determine charges.

The crash happened around 4:56 a.m. on Nov. 20 in the 2600 block of Pioneer Lane. Police spokesperson Lt. James Curry told reporters the driver was likely traveling at a high speed and cresting up the hill when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle struck a tree, causing the car to spin and eject five juveniles who weren't wearing seat belts. A sixth juvenile wearing a seat belt was extricated from the vehicle. The six teens were taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Police had said speed and alcohol were suspected factors in the crash. This was the 17th non-pedestrian traffic fatality in Fairfax County this year, compared to 19 fatalities by this time in 2022.

Detectives are asking for anyone with information on the crash to contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543.