William Marcus Murphy, 22, a 2003 Westfield High graduate, was killed last week when the car in which he was a passenger overturned and crashed in Manassas. The tragedy occurred last Thursday, March 1, at 2:55 a.m. Murphy, a resident of Centreville, died at the scene.
Justin Woldorf, 21, of Bluemont, was driving a 1993 Buick LeSabre on Route 29, approximately one mile south of Groveton Road, when he somehow lost control and the car left the road.
"The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, northbound on Lee Highway, when it veered off the left shoulder of the road and broke through a fence," said Prince William County Police spokeswoman Sharon Richardson.
The fence bordered the Manassas National Battlefield Park, where the car came to rest — but not until it had rolled over several times, said police. It finally stopped across from Stonewall Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Richardson said "speed and alcohol" are believed to be contributing factors in the crash, and charges are pending against Woldorf. He was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment of head and spine injuries. According to hospital spokeswoman Jeanne Mayer, on Tuesday he was listed in fair condition.
The front-seat passenger, Juan Francisco Vallejos, 22, of Manassas, was uninjured and flagged down a police officer for help after the crash. Murphy was in the back seat, and all three occupants were wearing seatbelts.
<tgl> — Bonnie Hobbs