Fairfax Police Cruiser Fatally Strikes Alexandria Woman In Body Cam Video

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County authorities have released body camera footage showing the moment a marked police cruiser fatally struck an Alexandria woman, who was lying on Richmond Highway after she had been hit by another car.

According to police, the incident happened on Sept. 23 at the intersection of Richmond Highway and Belford Drive in Hybla Valley. Police said Trina Jones, 62, was struck by a black Mercedes that fled the area following the crash.

Jones was then struck by a vehicle driven by Fairfax County Officer Jalin Phillips, a two-year veteran of the department who was responding to the scene.

Body camera footage released by the agency showed Phillips' cruiser approaching the crash site. He maneuvered around cars and drove through the intersection before striking Jones, who was alive and lying near the middle and right lanes of the roadway.

“That’s when our police officer, young police officer — again, stellar reputation doing great things at the Mount Vernon district in the community — made contact with Ms. Jones,” Police Chief Kevin Davis said during a news conference. “That contact ended up being fatal for Ms. Jones.”

In the video, Phillips can be heard saying, "Please tell me I did not run her over."

Jones was taken to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

"There’s no indication that his driving was egregious," Davis said of Phillips. "There’s a lot going on at that intersection with the incoming emergency equipment, fire, police and witnesses."

According to Davis, bystanders had asked Jones to get out of the roadway before police arrived, but she refused, telling them she was going to wait for police.

Davis said a good Samaritan had also placed his car in front of Jones to protect her from oncoming traffic, but moved the vehicle when he saw the police cruiser approaching.

The body-worn camera footage was released within 30 days of the incident, in accordance with the department’s guidelines. Phillips has been placed on restricted-duty status while the investigation continues.

Davis said police are still searching for the black Mercedes that struck Jones first.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) and online.