Virginia State Police

More details released on fatal crash that killed three teens on I-395 exit

Published September 29, 2026 at 1:45PM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

Virginia State Police have released more details on Monday morning’s (Sept. 28) fatal crash that killed three teenagers and injured a fourth in a stolen vehicle.

According to state police, the vehicle was stolen two days before (Sept. 26) in Prince George’s County, Md. The stolen vehicle was spotted in the area of Stevenson Avenue and S. Walker Street in Alexandria’s West End around 12:45 a.m. Monday, and the driver sped onto northbound Interstate 395 when a state trooper tried to make a traffic stop. The driver lost control at the exit ramp for the Shirlington Road exit, causing the vehicle to strike a jersey wall.

News

Three juveniles die, one seriously injured, after high-speed chase on I-395 in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 28, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated September 28, 2026 at 10:54AM

Virginia State Police cruiser (staff photo)

Three juveniles died and another suffered life-threatening injuries after a high-speed chase on Interstate 395 in Alexandria early this morning (Sept. 28).

Virginia State Police is reporting that around 12:45 a.m., a state trooper “spotted” a stolen vehicle in the area of Stevenson Avenue and S. Walker Street in the city’s West End. The trooper tried to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle, which was stolen from Prince George’s County, Md., didn’t stop. Instead, the driver continued onto northbound I-395 and lost control at the exit ramp for the Shirlington Road exit, causing the vehicle to strike a jersey wall.

News

Pedestrian dies after being struck on I-395 in Alexandria: state police

By Emily Leayman

Published September 8, 2026 at 10:50AM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

A pedestrian on Interstate 395 was killed in a crash Monday night (Sept. 7) in Alexandria, according to Virginia State Police.

Around 8:29 p.m., a pedestrian was struck on southbound I-395 north of Duke Street. Police say the striking vehicle stopped a short distance from the crash and contacted 911.

Around Town

Political operative from Alexandria pens debut thriller novel, plans launch at Elaine’s Literary Salon

By Emily Leayman

Published August 26, 2026 at 9:15AM

Author Matt Lavoie (via Matt Mendelsohn)

Alexandria resident Matt Lavoie has spent decades working as a policy expert and political operative in D.C., and now he has taken that experience to pen and paper.

Lavoie’s thriller novel “Main Street Fringe” will be released by Level Best Books on Sept. 1. This is Lavoie’s first novel, following the story of a Virginia State Police detective going “undercover” as himself to pursue a violent conspiracy group, putting his own family at risk.

News

Man found guilty of reckless driving in 5-vehicle crash that killed woman in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 28, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria courthouse in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 68-year-old Fredericksburg man was found guilty today (Tuesday) of reckless driving for causing a five-vehicle crash that killed a 69-year-old Massachusetts woman on Interstate 495 in Alexandria on Nov. 5, 2024.

In a two-day bench trial, Circuit Court Judge Katie Uston found Lee Allen MacKall guilty of reckless driving, and sentenced him to a year in prison, all suspended on the condition of his uniform good behavior. MacKall tearfully apologized to the family and friends of the victim, Lauren Johnson-Lavender, who died at the scene.

News

Fiery crash in Alexandria follows state police pursuit of driver

By Emily Leayman

Published June 22, 2026 at 9:15AM

Virginia State Police cruiser (staff photo)

A Virginia State Police pursuit ended in Alexandria with a fiery crash into a parked car early Sunday (June 21).

Around 12:57 a.m., a state trooper tried to stop a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on westbound Interstate 495 near Telegraph Road. According to state police, a pursuit ensued when the vehicle refused to stop.

News

Mother and daughter accused of sex trafficking to appear in Alexandria court

By James Cullum

Published June 16, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated June 17, 2026 at 9:49AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

More details have been released on a mother and daughter arrested last month for allegedly running a sex trafficking operation in Alexandria and Fairfax County.

The 21-year-old and 51-year-old women who live in Fairfax County have been held without bond since their arrest on May 4. On Feb. 6, 2025, Virginia State Police received an anonymous tip of a suspected illicit massage business, and provided multiple addresses and phone numbers, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. About 11 months later, in January 2026, VSP created a fake phone number and made an appointment for $70.

News

State trooper rescues kitten discovered on I-395 in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published June 8, 2026 at 8:30AM

Kitten rescued from I-395 in Alexandria (via Virginia State Police)

A kitten had the luck of nine lives when it was rescued from Interstate 395 late Friday (June 5) in Alexandria.

Virginia State Police were alerted around 11:54 p.m. to a kitten that a driver observed on the interstate near the King Street exit. A state trooper safely retrieved the 4-week-old kitten, which was then taken to a nearby animal hospital.

News

Motorcyclist dies in I-495 crash near Telegraph Road: state police

By Emily Leayman

Published April 16, 2026 at 8:30AM

Virginia State Police cruiser (staff photo)

A motorcyclist died in a crash on the Capital Beltway yesterday (Wednesday) near Alexandria, according to Virginia State Police.

State troopers responded around 3:52 p.m. to a collision between a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle and pickup truck on eastbound I-495 just west of Telegraph Road (Exit 176). Bystanders attempted to provide aid to the motorcyclist, who was found lying in the roadway by state troopers.

News

State trooper injured during I-495 chase into Alexandria, suspect arrested at Metro station

By James Cullum

Published April 8, 2026 at 10:30AM | Updated April 9, 2026 at 8:37AM

Virginia State Police cruiser (staff photo)

A Virginia state trooper was injured after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 495 near Telegraph Road in Alexandria Tuesday night while pursuing a fleeing suspect following a crash.

The suspect, Gregory S. Newton, 57, of Springfield, was later arrested with help from Metro Transit Police at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station in D.C. He was charged with assault on a police officer, hit and run, driving on a suspended license, possession of a controlled substance and eluding police.

News

Hit-and-run pursuit leads to driver arrest on I-495 in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published March 26, 2026 at 12:30PM | Updated March 26, 2026 at 8:37PM

Police car lights (file photo)

A hit-and-run pursuit led to a crash and driver’s subsequent arrest in the Alexandria section of the Capital Beltway this morning (Thursday), Virginia State Police say.

The crash shut down all southbound I-495 lanes near Van Dorn Street, leading to backups stretching as far as 12 miles, according to an NBC4 report.