Oakton High School Community Mourns Loss Of 2 Students Killed In Crash

FAIRFAX, VA — Gabriel Pauo was walking with his friends along the east side of Blake Lane in Fairfax shortly before noon on Tuesday, when he saw the front of an SUV at the intersection of Five Oaks Road appear to explode.

"We start running over here," the Oakton High School sophomore said on Wednesday, pointing across Blake Lane. He and two of his friends had returned to the corner where three female students were struck by a white BMW the day before.

"I call 911 and I'm on hold with them for like 10 or 15 seconds and they answer when I'm about there," he said, pointing to the intersection. "I'm in the middle of the road now and I start telling them what's happening. After describing what happened, he asked me if there's anyone to try to do CPR on."

Pauo saw a nurse who was trying to help one of the girls who lay along the sidewalk and a fence just south of the intersection. He didn't know any of them and only learned later that they were from Oakton High School.

"I go over and I give the nurse the phone on speaker and then honestly I kind of just froze," he said.

Police say that the driver of a 1997 Toyota 4Runner who was making a left turn onto Five Oaks Road was waiting for three teenage girls to cross the street. Once they had finished crossing, the SUV continued its turn.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2018 BMW 530i being driven by an 18-year-old man from of Fairfax was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed on Blake Lane. It struck the 4Runner, continued on and hit the three pedestrians, whom police later identified as Oakton High School students.

Two passengers in the BMW fled the scene, but were later identified by police detectives. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to police. Details of the incident will be presented to the Commonwealth's Attorney to determine what charges, if any, will be made on the parities involved. If the driver of the BMW is charged, police said they would release his identity.

Two of the pedestrians later died and one remains hospitalized with injuries that are not considered severe, according to police. The driver of the BMW and his juvenile passenger were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The man who was driving the 4Runner was treated at the scene for his injuries.

Related: Crash Kills 2 Oakton High School Students, Injures Third: Police

At first, Pauo didn't notice the white BMW, which had come to rest about 25 yards down the road after striking his three classmates. But he did see sparks starting to appear from a utility pole the car had knocked down.

When asked how he felt about the incident, Pauo said: "I just kind of feel bad that I didn't try to help more."

On Tuesday night, Principal Jamie S. Lang sent a letter to Oakton High families, sharing the news about the crash and confirming that two students had died as a result of their injuries.

"We are devastated to learn this news and are grieving the loss of these students," she said. "Our deepest condolences extend to all families impacted."

While Lane didn't share any more details about the crash, she told the families that professional counseling would be available to any student who needed it. She also shared a link to resources for grieving teens and encouraged those who needed assistance to contact CrisisLink Regional Hotline at 703-527-4077 or text “NEEDHELP” to 85511

Community members wanting to express there condolences and remember the victims of Tuesday's crash began leaving bouquets of flowers and balloons at the intersection where the three victims had been stuck.

Callista Ellca visited the memorial around noon on Wednesday. She had just graduated from the high school and heard about the crash while she was at work on Tuesday night.

"It makes me feel horrible," she said. "I know the people who are involved and I feel very, very, terribly, sorry for the victims and their families, especially since they were so young."

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik posted on Twitter that she was heartbroken to hear about the crash.

"I offer my deepest condolences to the families and students impacted. ... I will be closely monitoring the active investigation into this terrible tragedy," she said.

"Our hearts ache for Oakton students and families tonight," said Karl Frisch, the Providence District school board member in a Twitter post on Tuesday night. "Support services will be on hand at school tomorrow for students and staff who need assistance at this difficult time."

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay, who visited the site of the crash on Wednesday morning, said he was horrified by the incident.

"What’s really alarming about this case is not only the rate of speed this vehicle was traveling, but that this was right near a school, when school was letting out," he said. "You have an area with high pedestrian activity. That should send a very strong message to people driving through there to slow down. We have speed limits posted for a reason. We have school zones for a reason. People need to follow those rules."

Patch editor Mark Hand contributed to the reporting of this story.