Fatal Crash With Ambulance In Herndon Leads To Charge For Hyundai Driver

HERNDON, VA — A new involuntary manslaughter charge has been added for the driver whose passenger died in a crash with an ambulance in Herndon, Fairfax County Police said.

The driver, Jose Lopez Martinez, 23, of Nokesville, now faces an involuntary manslaughter charge from the death of passenger Irvin Escobar Lujuan, 35, of Sterling. Lopez Martinez was previously charged with driving while intoxicated - second in five years. He was held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

The crash happened around 4:05 p.m. on Nov. 25 at Worldgate Drive and Alton Square in Herndon. A Fairfax County Fire and Rescue ambulance was on the way to a medical emergency with emergency equipment activated when the vehicle struck it in the intersection.

Police determined Lopez Martinez, the driver of a 2007 Hyundai, failed to yield the right of way when the vehicle struck the ambulance on Worldgate Drive. Escobar Lujuan had been taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

Lopez Martinez was also taken to the hospital in non-life-threatening condition. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue said two of its personnel were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Based on a preliminary investigation, police believe alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

Anyone with information about the crash can contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543 or submit a tip through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) or online at fairfaxcrimesolvers.org.