An empty stretch of Burke Centre Parkway was the scene of a fatal accident Sunday night as two vehicles collided in the westbound lanes, leaving two teenagers dead.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Jason Clover, 19, of 8647 Victoria Road in Kings Park, was driving a Ford Mustang eastbound on the Burke Centre Parkway around 9 p.m. Clover lost control, causing the car to spin and cross the median into oncoming lanes. Melissa Weaver, 24, of Burke, was driving a Jeep Wrangler westbound on the parkway and struck the Mustang on the passenger side, according to police.
Both Clover and his 19-year-old passenger, Elizabeth Rowland, of Mill Cove Court, were pronounced dead at the scene. Weaver was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where she was treated and released. All the victims were wearing seat belts, police sources said.
The Jeep was pushed up partially on the median, facing north, and the Mustang was in the eastbound lanes facing east when police arrived. It had rained earlier that evening, but it was not clear whether the wet pavement played a role in the accident.
John R. Smith of the Woodwalk community near the accident walked his dog earlier that night and didn't see anything. A few hours later, when walking the dog for the last time that night, he was greeted by flashing lights and flares cordoning off the road. An officer on the scene was directing vehicles around to Burke Centre Parkway.
"There's an occasional accident, primarily at that light," he said, pointing to the intersection of Burke Centre Parkway and Roberts Road.
"I've got a 15-year-old son, just hearing youth, it's disturbing," he said.
Another resident of Woodwalk felt the same way about that stretch of road that's not near any traffic light or intersection. He remembered a bad accident at Cove Landing Road just west of the accident, before it had a traffic light. He declined to give his name.
"I've been here 20 years, and I've never seen an accident in this quadrant," he said.
Bob Izad lives on the other side of the accident from the Woodwalk community. He was walking home but was unable, due to the roadblock.
"I'm worried more about that intersection," he said, pointing to Roberts Road. "This is the first time there is an accident here."
According to Officer Cheryl Farrell, police spokesperson, they are looking for any potential witnesses "just to completely understand what happened," she said.
Alcohol was not a factor, and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective C. Thomas at 703-280-0554 or Crimesolvers at 703-691-8888