News

Driver charged with DWI after West End crash seriously injures his passenger

By James Cullum

A 31-year-old Prince George’s County man was arrested for driving while intoxicated after a crash that seriously injured his female companion in the West End.

The suspect was arrested and released on Saturday, July 3. The crash occurred at around 1:20 a.m. that morning in the area of N. Quaker Lane. His four-door white 2017 BMW 540i traveled at a high rate of speed and rear-ended a vehicle waiting for a light to change, police reported in a search warrant.

The airbags in the BMW deployed, and the victim(s) in the other car were not injured.

“An occupant in (the suspect’s) vehicle was taken to Fairfax INOVA hospital with significant injuries,” police said. “The occupant was initially diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and a broken spine.”

Police later went back to the hospital to check on the passenger, and it was found that she did not have a traumatic brain injury. Her spine had to be fused, however, and she will need physical therapy.

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.