A local high school student died Wednesday morning from injuries sustained after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing a busy intersection in Bailey’s Crossroads.
The Fairfax County teenager, reportedly a junior at Justice High School in the Lake Barcroft area, was struck just before 9 a.m. on a crosswalk at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Tyler Street, according to Fairfax County Police Lt. Dan Spital.
The impact threw the teen approximately 20 to 30 feet across the intersection, Spital said in a press conference. A number of witnesses attempted to render first aid to no avail.
The driver of the vehicle remained on scene as rescue crews arrived. The teenager was then transported to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The identity of the high school student is being withheld until the school and next-of-kin are aware.
“We’re going to make sure that the school system works with the police department to try to provide additional services, counselors, and really just try to help out the family and friends of this young victim,” Spital said.
Area locals have long decried the precarious nature of the crosswalk where Wednesday’s accident occurred. Currently, the intersection has no stoplights, and pedestrians must cross four lanes, in addition to one turn lane, in order to cross the road.
The same intersection and stretch of road, which has a 35-mph speed limit, was also the site of a 2018 pedestrian crash in which a mother and daughter were struck by a vehicle while crossing. Both survived the accident.
“We are asking for motorists to please maintain that speed limit or even a little bit slower,” Spital said. “Please be vigilant, please look around, especially when going through crosswalks. Pedestrians do have a right of way in that crosswalk.”
Police officials have yet to specify whether the driver will face any charges.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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