ALEXANDRIA, Va. – One man is dead and a Fairfax County police officer was hospitalized after a head-on collision early Monday.
The crash forced the total closure of Franconia Road between Edison Drive and Gum Street for four hours. The road fully reopened around 9:30 a.m.
Fairfax County police Officer Don Gotthardt tells WTOP the driver of a 2006 Infinity was headed westbound when he “veered dramatically to the left” and into the path of an oncoming, marked police car at about 3 a.m..
Authorities say the Infiniti burst into flames and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. UPDATE: The driver has been identified as Jeffrey M. Woods, 52, of the 6000 block of Brookview Drive in Alexandria.
The officer, a seven-year veteran of the department, was initially trapped in his car and eventually was extricated and taken to a hospital with non-life- threatening injuries. Police say a motorist heard the crash and helped the officer get out of the cruiser.
The crash occurred not far from Thomas Edison High School, which is at the intersection of Franconia Road and Van Dorn Street.
Detectives are working to determine if speed or alcohol were a factor in the crash. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is working to positively identify the driver of the Infiniti.
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 your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
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