A garbage truck driver has been charged in the September 9 death of a 13-year-old Fairfax County student. The student was riding his bike shortly after the end of the school day at Frost Middle School.
Lawrence Onley, 46, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was arrested and charged with careless driving and infliction of injury or death on vulnerable road users.
The incident occurred near a shopping center in the City of Fairfax. Fairfax City police responded to the 3900 block of Pickett Road around 2:30 p.m. after reports of a motor vehicle crash involving a 13-year-old boy and a large truck. The boy sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police Investigation
Police say their investigation determined that truck was exiting the shopping center onto Pickett Road when the crash occurred. The driver stopped at the exit and was looking to the left as the 13-year-old, who was operating a pedal-assist e-bike on the sidewalk, entered the crosswalk. The truck pulled forward into the roadway and struck the boy.
Officers located a truck matching the description of the vehicle nearby. The incident was initially investigated as a possible hit-and-run. However, police say the driver was unaware that the truck had struck the boy.
Onley voluntarily turned himself in and has a pending court date in City of Fairfax General District Court.
