A 47-year-old Engleside woman is the fourth pedestrian to be killed crossing Richmond Highway this year.
Deborah Reynolds died at Inova Fairfax Hospital late Friday night, May 17. Police said that Reynolds was attempting to cross Richmond Highway, from west to east, at the intersection of Forest Place, which is near her home, at around 9 p.m. She ran into the path of a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville going north on Richmond highway by a Springfield woman.
Police said that Reynolds had been drinking alcohol and was not in a crosswalk or at an intersection. She died of head trauma.
CITIZEN GROUPS have been calling for more lights and designated crosswalks on Richmond Highway. Four people have died this year and 18 have died since 1995.
Dave Lyons of Safe Crossings Campaign, was quick to point out that his organization has been working to change what has become a major problem along the corridor: pedestrian deaths.
"We don't accept the notion that getting killed for being a pedestrian is just part of the risk you run for living in the Richmond Highway corridor," said Lyons. "We believe that responsible government agencies have a duty to act when they know that serious danger exists on a public roadway."
Driver Apprehended
Fairfax County Police arrested Maurice D. Oglesby, 38, of 6415 South Kings Highway in the Huntington area, following an incident which occurred in the 5900 block of Mount Eagle Drive, also in the Huntington area. The incident occurred at about 1:45 a.m. last Wednesday. Officer Justin Drinkwater was on patrol when he conducted a routine check on the license plate of a vehicle in front of him. A check of the license plate revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle turned into the parking lot of the Belle Haven Towers apartments. Office Drinkwater activated his vehicle's emergency equipment and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Oglesby, ignored the emergency equipment and accelerated in an attempt to flee from the officer. Officer Drinkwater continued following the vehicle until it crashed into a wooden fence. The suspect then jumped out of the car and ran, but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. No one was injured during this incident. Oglesby was taken to the Mount Vernon district station when he was interview by an auto theft detective. Oglesby was then transported to the Adult Detention Center where he was charged with driving on a suspended operator's license, hit and run accident and possession of stolen property.
Purse Snatcher Caught
Fairfax County Police arrested Terrence M. Ford, 23, of 7975 Audubon Avenue, Apt. 202 in the Hybla Valley area, after an incident that occurred in the 6100 block of Richmond Highway in the Huntington area about 10:50 p.m. last Monday.
A 16-year-old Illinois girl and her family, who were in town for police week, were returning from the National Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight Vigil. They were walking from the Huntington Metro Station to their room at the Days Inn hotel. The girl was walking ahead of her family when a man approached her from behind and attempted to grab her purse from her shoulder. The girl held onto the purse even after the straps broke from the struggle. She hit her attacker with the purse and began screaming for help. The suspect ran from the area. Her father, an Illinois State policed officer, ran to her aid. A security guard who was in the area saw a man to the rear of the hotel and alerted the girl's father. The girl identified has as being her attacker. Her father and the security guard apprehended the suspect and held him until police arrived. Ford was taken to the Mount Vernon District Station where he was charged with attempted robbery. He was being held without bond.
Dog Bites Child
Fairfax County police animal control officers are investigating a dog bite which occurred about 4 p.m. last Wednesday in the 8500 block of Richmond Highway in the Woodlawn area.
Police said a six-year-old boy was playing in his apartment complex when a dog came up to him and bit h is right forearm. The boy received a minor puncture wound and was taken to his family physician.
The dog was described as medium-sized, tan and white. It had t an ears and a white strip from its head to its back legs. Anyone with information on this dog or its owner is asked to call Fairfax County Animal Control at 703-266-6490.