1 Dead After Vehicle Falls Off I-495 Ramp Onto Train Tracks At Springfield Interchange

SPRINGFIELD, VA — A driver traveling on Interstate 495 died early Tuesday morning when their vehicle plunged off a ramp at the Springfield interchange and landed upside down on railroad tracks below the highway, according to Virginia State Police.

The vehicle, a Kia, went over the side cement barrier and landed on Virginia Railway Express tracks. The impact of the crash caused the Kia to catch fire, police said. The driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, has yet to be identified, police said.

The crash occurred around 1:20 a.m. on Tuesday. The driver was near Exit 170B on I-495 to get on I-395 northbound when the crash occurred. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, according to police.

The driver’s body was transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for examination, an autopsy and a positive identification, police said.

Drivers traveling in both directions on I-495 were unable to access I-395 for a few hours. The ramps to I-395 reopened at about 5 a.m., WTOP reported.

VRE operations did not appear to be affected by the crash, according to WTOP.