Pedestrian Hit, Killed by Police Car Identified

UPDATE Sunday 2 p.m.: Fairfax County Police have identified the pedestrian who died Saturday night after being hit by a police cruiser at Beulah Street near Old Beulah Street.

Police identified the deceased as Jeffrey Ponce Aguilar, 26, of the Alexandria area.

The officer involved in the crash is a two-year veteran of the police department, assigned to a patrol squad at the Franconia District Station. He was traveling northbound on Beulah Street at about 11 p.m. Saturday, police said. The area is near Hilltop Village shopping center.

At the time of the crash, the officer was operating a marked police vehicle on routine patrol duties, police said. Currently, the officer is on administrative paid leave as the investigation continues.

Police point out that "further investigation has determined witnesses indicate that the weather conditions were heavy rain and Aguilar was dressed in dark-colored clothing."

Against the traffic signal, police say, Ponce Aguilar stepped into the roadway in front of the officer’s vehicle.

Neither speed nor alcohol appear to be contributing factors to the crash, according to police. Detectives of the Crash Reconstruction Unit continue their investigation to determine the cruiser’s speed and other variables.

Police investigation of crash

The Fairfax County Police Department’s General Order 501.1 – Operation of Police Vehicles (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/inside-fcpd/pdf/5011.pdf ) provides direction and policy for both police vehicle operation and related crash investigations, police said. The primary role of the Crash Reconstruction Unit is to fully investigate and document police-related and fatal crashes by interviewing all witnesses, re-creating and recording the crash scene in a report, obtaining all vehicle and driver data and conducting follow up evidence collection efforts such as obtaining the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report. Together, these factors will provide a thorough and objective assessment to allow investigators to recreate the incident and determine fault, if any.

Generally, when any motorist is determined to be at fault in a fatal crash, the investigating detective presents the facts and evidence of the investigation to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for review and determination of prosecution for any offenses under the law, police pointed out Sunday. The role of the Internal Affairs Bureau is to conduct an investigation of the employee’s actions to determine if they were in compliance with all departmental policies.

Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr, Chief of Police, will provide a statement later Sunday, police said.

Police ask that anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail atwww.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

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(Earlier story)

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- A 26-year old man is dead after he was hit by a police cruiser late Saturday night while walking near Hilltop Village shopping center, according to police.

An officer was involved in the fatal pedestrian crash Saturday night around 11 p.m. An investigation determined the officer was traveling northbound on Beulah Street near Old Beulah Street, police said.

The traffic signal was green, according to police. As the officer approached the intersection, a 26-year-old man stepped into the roadway, against the green light. Unable to avoid a collision, the police cruiser struck the pedestrian, police said.

The officer immediately stopped, reported the incident to dispatch and requested an ambulance to respond, according to police. The man was transported to the Inova Franconia-Springfield HealthPlex with life-threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 11:44 p.m. The officer did not require medical attention.

Police supervisors, detectives from the Crash Reconstruction Unit, Internal Affairs Bureau and the Criminal Investigation Bureau responded and are conducting a thorough investigation, police said. The investigation will determine whether factors such as speed or alcohol contributed to the crash, fault and if charges are appropriate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

See VDOT traffic and pedestrian rules here.