News

Alexandria Police looking for driver in fatal hit-and-run

By James Cullum

Alexandria Police are still looking for the driver of a dark colored Toyota RAV-4 that killed a 72-year-old man crossing the intersection of Duke and S. Pickett Streets in the West End.

The incident occurred on New Year’s Day at around 6:30 p.m.

Harold Reubin was transported to Inova Alexandria Hospital, and was treated for a hip injury and then released. Two weeks later, on Jan. 14, he returned to the hospital and said he was having issues breathing, according to police.

Reubin died five days later, on January 19. An autopsy determined that the cause of death was complications from blunt force trauma.

A witness driving behind the RAV-4 told police that he honked his horn to alert the driver that Reubin was crossing the intersection.

“The RAV-4 continued into the intersection, striking Mr. Reubin and knocking him to the ground,” police said in a search warrant affidavit. “The RAV-4 pulled over briefly after the crash, then immediately sped away without the driver exiting the vehicle or providing any identifying information.”

The incident is a block away from where another fatal hit and run crash occurred in February 2020.

The investigation is being led by the APD Crash Reconstruction Team, and anyone who witnessed it is asked to call Officer Alex Trapero at 571-215-0320, or the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444.

Callers can remain anonymous.

Courtesy APD

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.