Silver Diner Crash: Warrants Issued for Driver, Police Say

PHOTO of Silver Diner scene courtesy of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

_________

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Fairfax County Police obtained arrest warrants Friday for Malicious Wounding and Felony Destruction of Property for Samuel Ovie Abutoh, 59, of Springfield, after police say he crashed his SUV into the Silver Diner in Tysons.

During the initial investigation, it was determined that Abutoh "allegedly intentionally drove his SUV into the building multiple times," police said.

When doing so, he struck a 74-year-old man from McLean, who was entering the business, according to police. Then, Abutoh was observed pouring liquid on his body and lighting himself on fire while inside the vehicle, police said.

Along with numerous citizens, Chief Flight Officer, Second Lieutenant Jennifer Lescallett of the Helicopter Division, and an off-duty Fairfax County police officer, Brent Moreau, happened to be in the area and quickly responded to the incident, police said. Second Lieutenant Lescallett rendered aid to the injured parties.

Officer Moreau was nearby and was alerted by a citizen that a possible “active shooter” incident was occurring at the diner. Moreau responded and observed the burning vehicle and determined that it was not an active shooter situation. Officer Moreau assisted bystanders in moving Abutoh further away from the burning vehicle, police said.

Abutoh remains under the care of a local hospital, according to police.

Warrants will be served upon his release in coordination with detectives on the United States Marshal’s Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF).

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Information Battalion Chief Willie F. Bailey confirmed that additional charges are pending against Abutoh. The Office of the Fire Marshal’s investigation remains on-going at this time, police said.