Alexandria police officers responding to a domestic situation at a high-rise apartment building Monday night were confronted by a wanted man who allegedly attempted to run over officers as he made good his escape.

Police responded around 7 p.m. to the Foundry Apartments at 2470 Manderville Lane, a couple of blocks from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station, after a woman called police and said she was concerned about her ex-boyfriend, who reportedly had a knife and broke her phone.

Once inside, officers reported that the man had taken off down the stairwell. Moments later, he hopped into a newer model Honda Pilot in which he used in an attempt to run over an officer who had arrived to assist, according to initial reports.

EMS personnel took the officer to the hospital, though the officer’s injuries were said to be non-life-threatening, according to APD.

Police are looking for the suspect and the black Honda Pilot with Maryland tags he was driving. It may have front-end damage and damage to the passenger-side door from trying to run over the officer.

According to one radio report, the man has an extensive rap sheet including several open warrants.

Notification:: There is a heavy police presence in the 2400 block of Mandeville Lane in response to a domestic dispute. During the encounter, an officer was struck by a vehicle and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the officer was transported to a local hospital. pic.twitter.com/6unJNzQHdW

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) December 28, 2021

With two celebration-filled weeks left in the year, there has been a 34% jump in the number of Driving Under the Influence arrests in 2021 over last year.

As of Dec. 7, there have been 193 DUI arrests in Alexandria, up from 144 last year — a period when police minimized traffic enforcement, and restaurants and bars were still largely closed indoors due to the pandemic.

Still, there were 240 total DUI arrests in Alexandria in 2019 — 20% higher than this year’s current total.

“Enforcement may be up and I would contribute it to our Traffic Safety Section being diligent and staying on top of their training in recognizing drivers who drive under the influence as well as the contributions from our patrol,” Alexandria Police public information officer Marcel Bassett told ALXnow.

Not counted in the figures is a DUI arrest that occurred on Dec. 11, after a pedestrian was struck in Arlandria. The 41-year-old driver was charged with DUI Maiming and DUI Second Offense.

(Updated on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.) An adult female was seriously injured Saturday night (Dec. 11) after being hit by a car in Arlandria.

The incident occurred at around 6:40 p.m. at Four Mile Road near Old Dominion Boulevard, Alexandria Police told ALXnow.

The pedestrian was transported to The George Washington University Hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

The 41-year-old driver, Luis Antonio Ortiz, stayed at the scene and was charged with DUI Maiming and DUI Second Offense, police said.

Notification:: The 500 block Four Mile Road is closed due to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian. The Pedestrian is being transported to George Washington University Hospital for injuries. pic.twitter.com/rsZSTdFCtC

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) December 12, 2021

This week was a mix of big plans for the future in Alexandria and concerns about public feedback on city projects.

The top story this week was on Sunday, when a driver struck and killed local resident Roy Saravia Alvarez. The driver, Fredy Ortiz-Dominguez of Hyattsville, Maryland, was arrested last night and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Here were the most-read stories around ALXnow this week:

1. UPDATED: Pedestrian struck and killed in Arlandria
2. Construction begins for Inova’s massive Oakville Triangle project
3. Petition gains steam to save Torpedo Factory artist studios
4. Multi-use development at 1300 King Street could be finished by late 2022, says developer
5. City considers axing Complete Streets feedback form
6. Deterioration forces additional closures to Arlington-Alexandria bridge
7. Francis C. Hammond Middle School student suspended for alleged ‘shooting up the school’ message
8. Alexandria looks to improve Van Dorn Street bridge and Holmes Run Trail crossing
9. Archeologists discover new pieces of early 19th century waterfront brewery in Old Town
10. New field lighting baked into Minnie Howard campus expansion permitting

The driver who struck and killed local resident Roy Saravia Alvarez on Saturday, Nov. 13, has been arrested by the Alexandria Police Department.

Police said that a warrant for involuntary manslaughter was issued and 45-year-old Fredy Ortiz-Dominguez of Hyattsville, Maryland, turned himself in to police custody yesterday (Thursday). Ortiz-Dominguez is being held at the Alexandria Detention Center without bail.

The crash occurred at 8:10 p.m. on Sunday at the 200 block of West Glebe Road in Arlandria. The victim was declared dead at the scene. Ortiz-Dominguez remained at the scene.

In a GoFundMe established to help cover funeral expenses, Alvarez’ family described him as a beloved grandfather who was kind-hearted and humorous. The GoFundMe has raised $16,125, exceeding its original goal.

Police noted that anyone with additional information is asked to contact investigators.

This case still remains an ongoing investigation, anyone with any information related to this incident is asked to please contact the investigating officer, Ofc. Wes Vitale at 703.746.6178 or call APD’s non-emergency number at 703.746.4444.  Tips or information can be anonymously submitted.

Man Fatally Struck on Alexandria Sidewalk — “A man died after he was hit by a truck when its driver jumped a sidewalk on Saturday night in Alexandria, Virginia. His family wants to know why the driver is not behind bars and said they think the driver’s actions after the crash may have killed their loved one.” [NBC4]

Alexandria named second-biggest art-buying city in US by Artfinder — “Yesterday the company released a list of the top art-buying cities in the U.S.  It appears that Alexandria residents love their art, because our city came in second place, behind Savannah, Georgia.” [Zebra]

Chopt opens its doors in Kingstowne — “Chopt Creative Salad Co. will open its doors Wednesday, Nov. 17 in the Kingstowne Towne Center, the company announced Tuesday.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Alexandria tutoring consortium awarded $16K grant from AT&T — “[Alexandria Tutoring Consortium] (ATC), which helps the youngest students enrolled in Alexandria’s public schools learn to read, is the recipient of a $16,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation.” [Zebra]

Alexandria police union pleads for more pay and resources — “The union has requested a 10% raise while the city council is considering a 1.5% raise.” [WUSA9]

(Updated at 11:10 a.m.) Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian that happened around 8:10 p.m. on the 200 block of West Glebe Road, near Mount Vernon Avenue and the Food Star International Supermarket.

The victim was struck by a driver and reportedly pinned under their vehicle. He was pronounced dead soon after rescue crews freed his body from beneath the auto.

Crash investigators are trying to determine what led to the crash.

Saturday was a bad day for pedestrians throughout the region. A woman was killed this afternoon in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood. That was followed by a pedestrian who was seriously injured in Arlington on S. Carlin Springs Road around 7:20 p.m., and now this crash in Alexandria.

Alert:: W Glebe Rd. is temporarily closed from Mount Vernon Ave. to Russell Rd. The road closure is due to a fatal pedestrian traffic crash. The crash is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/pvGJxksmRX

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) November 14, 2021

On Sunday morning, Alexandria police issued an initial press release about the fatal crash.

The Alexandria Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Team is investigating a fatal car crash that occurred on Saturday, November 13, 2021.

At approximately 8:10 p.m. Saturday evening, APD officers responded to a crash in the 200 block of West Glebe Road. Upon arrival, officers determined that the incident involved a single vehicle striking a pedestrian.

The pedestrian was pronounced at the scene. The identity of the victim is being held for 24-hours after the next of kin is notified.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and sustained no injuries.

APD is asking anyone who witnessed or may have information about this incident to contact Officer Wes Vitale at 703.746.6178 or call our non-emergency number at 703.746.4444.

What an interesting week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.

World champion sprinter Noah Lyles brought home his bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday. In a frank, TED Talk-like speech at Alexandria City High School, Lyles talked about the importance of mental health as he struggled to perform at the games.

“A lot of people will look at the Olympics this year like something was different with the athletes,” said Lyles. “Well, it was a lot of difference because we had so much weight that we had to hold onto — about two years. I was no different.”

On the COVID-19 front, while the transmission level remains high in Alexandria, this week the city tied with Arlington for the lowest seven-day positivity rate in Virginia. Large outdoor public events are still happening, too, and on Monday, a vast majority of local elected officials and candidates converged for the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s annual Labor Day Picnic, which included an appearance by gubernatorial candidate, former Governor Terry McAuliffe.

Important stories

• Alexandria Police say string of 7-Eleven robberies are connected
• West End trail project derailed by stalled development
• Mural Mania: Check out these three new murals in Old Town
• Mudhouse Coffee buys building in Old Town

Top stories

1. Man arrested for spending spree after finding wallet in Bradlee Shopping Center parking lot
2. COVID-19 Update: Alexandria ties with Arlington for lowest seven-day positivity rate in Virginia
3. BREAKING: Pedestrian critically injured in Old Town car crash
4. Mark Center development plans head to Planning Commission this week
5. Alexandria Police union calls out years of executive mismanagement
6. JUST IN: Suspects arrested after allegedly firing shots at Alexandria Police
7. BREAKING: Video shows brawl at Alexandria City High School cafeteria just two days after school starts
8. Mayor outlines upcoming plastic bag tax plans
9. Village Brauhaus aims for rooftop expansion
10. No injuries or arrests after shots fired in Old Town Sunday night
11. Most expensive homes sold in Alexandria in August

Have a safe weekend!

Via Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.

(Updated 7:40 p.m.) A pedestrian has been transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a car crash around 7 p.m. on Cameron Street in Old Town, according to Alexandria police.

The street is shut down at the intersection with Buchanan Street, near the popular Metro Linear Park that runs parallel to the Metro.

Police said the driver stayed on the scene and an investigation is ongoing. Police said the victim has been taken to Fairfax Hospital with serious injuries.

There have been multiple crashes involving pedestrians in Alexandria over the last month, including a man killed in the West End last week and a 13-year old struck walking home in Del Ray.

Notification:: Cameron street at Buchanan is shut down due to a car crash involving a pedestrian. The Pedestrian was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver stayed on the scene. The investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/DA4kviUmRA

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) September 7, 2021

Photo via Google Maps