Fatal Crash on I-495 Near Springfield: Police

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Virginia State Policer report that a man died Thursday night in a crash on I-495. Police responded at 10:14 p.m., Thursday to a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 495 at the 56-mile marker.

Police say a Toyota Highlander was traveling south on I-495 in the center lane when it suddenly swerved to the right towards the exit for Interstate 95. As the driver changed lanes, the Highlander struck a southbound Jeep Commander traveling in the right lane, police said. After striking the Jeep, the driver of the Highlander suddenly stopped in the travel lane, according to police.

Police originally said the driver was ejected from the Highlander but later Friday morning, said "there is evidence to suggest the driver exited his vehicle and was not ejected from it."

A Dodge Caravan traveling south on I-495 was unable to brake in time and struck the stopped Highlander, police said. Moments later, the Dodge Caravan was struck by a Lincoln Town Car traveling behind it. Meanwhile, the impact of those crashes thrust the driver of the Highlander into the right travel lane, according to police.

The driver of the Highlander, an adult male, died at the scene. State police are still in the process of locating and notifying his next of kin. The driver and two passengers in the Caravan were transported to a nearby hospital. They have been treated and released. The Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team is assisting with the ongoing crash investigation.

Southbound lanes of I-495 were re-opened by 3:32 a.m. Friday (Dec. 2).