Charges Expected in Route 1 Crash; Fastran Bus Involved

UPDATE 10:50 Tuesday:

Police have released more information regarding yesterday’s fatal crash, including the identity of the man who was killed.

Investigators say the driver of a 2008 Fastran Bus, a 32 year-old male was traveling north on Route 1 in the far right lane and did not notice when four vehicles slowed down in front of him for the traffic signal at the intersection of Route 1 and Fairfax County Parkway.

The bus allegedly crashed into the a 1995 Toyota Celica causing a chain reaction that pushed the Celica into a 2004 Dodge pickup truck. The truck crashed into a 2001 Dodge Caravan, which then crashed into a 2004 Chrysler sedan. Inside the bus at the time of the collision were three passengers in addition to the driver.

The driver of the Celica, William S. Pitts of Fort Belvoir was pronounced dead at the scene. Eight occupants of the other four vehicles involved, including the three Fastran passengers, sustained injuries and were transported to three different area hospitals. They were all treated and released.

Police have ruled alcohol out as a factor in the accident. However, the investigation is ongoing and charges are anticipated to be filed.

Fastran is an organization within Fairfax County government that arranges for door-to-door transportation for residents of the county as well as Falls Church and Fairfax City who are participating in human service programs. According to Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs for Fairfax County, Fastran contracts out their drivers to MV Transportation, a company based in Fairfield, Calif.

Nikki Frenney, senior vice president of public affairs for MV Transportation, said that the driver involved in the crash has been removed from service, as is normal protocol for any driver involved in a crash, irrespective of severity.

MV has been a presence in the Washington Metropolitan area for several years and also provides private contract services to Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA).

According the MV's website, the company was founded in 1975 and has in excess of 12,000 employees in 100 locations across 24 states.

-----------------------------

A fatal car accident has closed Rte. 1 northbound near the Fairfax County Parkway. The accident occurred just after 4 p.m. today. Southbound traffic is getting by slowly. Five vehicles were involved.

Eight people were injured in the accident; one person was pronounced dead on the scene. None of the injuries is life-threatening.

This is the second fatal accident in less than a week near that intersection. In the , alcohol was involved. Alcohol has been ruled out as a cause in today’s incident.

Rte. 1 northbound will remain closed for several hours, according to police on the scene.

Click on the photo above to see additional photos.