A four-car crash in the Pohick area claimed the lives of the parents of four girls Saturday, Oct. 24.

According to Fairfax County Police, Michael K. Merrill, 47, and Jeanne M. Merill, 42, of Fairfax Station, were driving north on the Fairfax County Parkway with three of their four daughters around 5 p.m. when their Honda Pilot was struck by a Toyota Carolla near the Rolling Road exit. The Pilot and the Carolla, which was also traveling north, crossed over the median into the southbound lanes, where an oncoming car hit the Pilot.

The parents were pronounced dead at the scene and their three daughters, ages 13, 3 and 1, were transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital. The girls were treated for non-life threatening injuries and were later released to family members. The driver of one of the southbound-traveling car was also transported to Inova Fairfax with non life-threatening injuries. No one else involved in the crash required medical attention. Family friend Kimber Williams said that the family was returning home after picking up food from Bertucci’s, an Italian Restaurant.

“They were the best parents ever,” Williams said. “They did everything for their children. Anything the children wanted to go out and try, they’d find a way to do it. It’s a huge loss.”

According to Officer Tawny Wright of the Fairfax County Police, no one involved was speeding, and alcohol was not a factor in the crash. She said that police are still investigating whether wet road conditions played a role in the crash.

“Nobody has been charged with anything at this time,” Wright said. “Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors, but the weather was likely a contributing factor. It wasn’t raining at the time of the crash, but it had just rained so the road may have been wet.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text "TIP187" plus a message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.