OAKTON, Va. — Two teens have died and three other people are injured after two cars collided, causing one to ricochet off the road and hit a group of juveniles who had just crossed the street.
Fairfax County Police responded to a crash around 11:45 a.m. at the intersection of Blake Lane and Five Oaks Road in Fairfax involving a white BMW, a green Toyota 4Runner and three pedestrians.
Police claim the man driving the Toyota was heading north on Blake Lane and waiting for three juveniles to cross the street before making a left turn. Once the teens crossed, the driver began turning when the BMW, driving south on Blake Lane, crashed into the front of the Toyota on the driver's side, ricocheted off the road, hit the three pedestrians and a pole before coming to a stop further down the road.
The three pedestrians were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and two of them have since died from their injuries. The third pedestrian victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, but their condition is unknown at this time. The 18-year-old driver of the BMW and his teen passenger were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The man driving the Toyota was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The three pedestrians were all students at Oakton High School, according to police, though they have not been identified.
Oakton High School Principal Jamie S. Lane addressed the deadly collision in a letter to parents Tuesday night.
"The latest police briefing has confirmed that two Oakton High School students have died as a result of their injuries," wrote Lane. "We are devastated to learn this news and are grieving the loss of these students."
The school will have a crisis team on campus to help any student or staff member process the news.
"As a community, we have to do better," Jeff McKay, the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, tweeted Tuesday night. "This is a somber reminder to motorists that people’s lives are in your hands whenever you get on the road. We want to move people, not just vehicles, safely. It’s on each of us to be mindful of pedestrians, the speed limit & distracted driving."
Fairfax Police Major Eli Cory said two passengers in the backseat of the BMW ran away after the crash, but they were identified during the investigation.
Police believe the driver of the BMW was speeding when the crash occurred. They do not believe alcohol was a factor.
Cory said the investigation is ongoing, and they will provide further updates on those involved, including any charges filed, once the information is available.
Since the crash, students and their families have formed a makeshift memorial at the intersection where it happened, laying bouquets of flowers for the teenagers.
Oakton High School junior Faith Kim placed a bouquet Wednesday morning and took a moment of silence to reflect.
“Just remember that when you drive, when you get behind the wheel, you’re not only putting yourself at risk, but other people on the road and pedestrians as well," Kim said, getting choked up. "This was totally preventable."
She and other neighbors said cars frequently speed down Blake Lane, making it unsafe for driver and pedestrians alike. They're calling for drivers to slow down and the county to install speed cameras.
“I know it’s fun to have your friends in your car and the music is blasting, and you’re speeding, but just remember that you’re not the only ones on the road," Kim said. "You’re not invincible when you’re driving, and just slow down, please.”
The teens killed were the 9th and 10th pedestrian-related deaths in Fairfax County in 2022, up sharply when compared to 2021, which only saw seven pedestrian-related deaths for the entire year.
Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.