Felony Hit-Run Charged
Fairfax County police charged a Centreville man with several offenses—including felony hit-and-run—after he allegedly tailgated and struck another vehicle driven by a Lorton man and then fled. He is 25-year-old Juan Carlos Gudiel.
The incident occurred early Sunday, Feb. 24, just after midnight, on the Fairfax County Parkway. According to police, Gudiel reportedly rear-ended a 2003 Honda in his 2000 Ford Explorer. They say he allegedly pulled alongside the car and then turned into the vehicle, side-swiping it.
Then, say police, Gudiel reportedly drove away “at a high rate of speed.” However, the victim, a 24-year-old Lorton man, was able to copy the license plate of the suspect vehicle and called 911.
Police say Gudiel continued onto I-66 west, where Virginia State Police became involved. They say the Centreville man exited onto Lee Highway, where he reportedly ran a red light and turned onto Stone Road where troopers were able to stop his vehicle.
Fairfax County police charged Gudiel with attempted malicious wounding, felony hit-and-run, and driving on a suspended license. Virginia State Police charged him with reckless driving, speeding to elude, disregarding a red light, resisting arrest and driving under the influence. He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
Clifton Town Council Meeting
The Clifton Town Council will meet Tuesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m., in the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, in Clifton.
Donate Old Cars to Police
The Fairfax County Police Department is looking for vehicles in working condition that people no longer want or need and would be willing to donate. They could help their public safety community and receive a tax deduction at the same time.
Every year, the department uses about 20 cars to help train and prepare officers for the rigors of police work. Donated cars could be used as a faux suspect’s get-away car, helping officers with their precision pursuit driving techniques. Later, when the car is no longer in driving condition, it will be cut up (for training on how to cut into crashed cars), blown up (providing training for Explosive Ordinance officers) or shot (used as a prop in an active-shooter scenario).
Nothing will go to waste and the valuable contribution will serve many constructive purposes. For more information on how to donate vehicles or to ask questions, contact MPO Tom Beckman at the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, 703-818-1924.
Fairfax County License Plate
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Pat Herrity’s (R-Springfield) plan and design for a Fairfax County license plate. Besides allowing residents to show pride in their community, proceeds from the license plates’ sales will go to the World Police and Fire Games, which the county is hosting in 2015.
Afterward, from 2016 on, continued proceeds will go to Visit Fairfax to bolster its advertising and help increase tourism to bring valuable, out-of-state dollars into the local economy. Visit Fairfax has been aggressively signing up customers for the new plates, including private citizens and shuttle buses, plus hotel and hospitality fleets. Visit Fairfax is currently on its way toward meeting the 350 pre-signed applications threshold to make this Fairfax County plate a reality. The plates may be pre-ordered now at http://www.fxva.com/plates/.