Driver charged with manslaughter for causing a fatal crash on Route 50
The driver of the 2016 Honda Accord involved in a two-vehicle fatal crash in Seven Corners on April 21 has turned himself in, the Fairfax County Police Department announced June 20.
Mirza Baig, 26, of Alexandria, is facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter. He is being held at the Adult Detention Center on no bond.
Baig was traveling eastbound on Arlington Boulevard just east of Patrick Henry Drive in the far-left lane at about 1 a.m. A 2018 Honda Civic was also traveling eastbound on Arlington Boulevard in the far-right lane.
The driver of the Civic attempted to make an abrupt U-turn and was struck by the Accord. Detectives determined Baig was traveling over 100 mph before the crash.
The driver of the Civic, Christina Hamilton, 37, was taken to the hospital and was pronounced deceased. Baig and a passenger were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
It says the Civic was in the far right lane just east of Patrick Henry Dr then tried to make an abrupt U-turn. So she cut across three lanes of traffic to make an illegal U-turn over a double yellow line? Am I understanding that correctly?
If so, I’m not sure the punishment fits the crime here. Admittedly, he was doing 100mph in a posted 45mph zone but it sounds like the driver of the Civic made a wild maneuver in front of him. This is going to ruin this young man’s life.
100 mph on route 50 is outrageously reckless. At that speed on that road a serious accident is entirely predictable and involuntary manslaughter sure seems to be the right charge.
100mph on Arlington Blvd is very fast, yes. But I still think the other driver put herself in grave danger by trying to make an abrupt illegal U-turn crossing three lanes of traffic and a double yellow line. Involuntary manslaughter implies that his recklessness and negligence caused the death of another. I would think a good lawyer could make the case that her recklessness and negligence led to, or at least largely contributed to her own death. What if he was going 10mph over? Is that still negligent and warrants a potential 10 year sentence in your book?
Had the fellow been traveling at or near the speed limit, he likely would not be facing any charges. The woman would have been completely at fault for the ensuing accident if it occurred. By traveling at more than twice the speed limit, the fellow allowed himself no time to react and thus was an equal contributor, thus the “involuntary”.
Had the fellow been traveling at the speed limit there would have been no accident.
20 or more miles per hour above the limit is, by definition, reckless in Fairfax County. Someone charged with reckless driving is facing up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2500 and a license suspension of up to six months in addition to a permanent criminal record.
Your hypothetical is irrelevant. Had this driver been going 10 miles per hour above the speed limit this woman would likely still be alive and the speeding driver would similarly be unlikely to face an involuntary manslaughter charge.
However, people who drive 100 on route 50 put lives at risk.
This person unintentionally killed a woman. If the facts reported are confirmed in court, this person will, hopefully and appropriately, be convicted of involuntary manslaughter and will lose his freedom.
Don’t drive recklessly.
Had “Christina” not made the illegal “U Turn” this would never have happened.
I believe had “Baig” been going 45 mph, the accident still would have happened.
More than likely “Christina” would still be dead or in critical condition, because “Christina” made the illegal “U Turn”.
Another “eye opener” not enough Fairfax County Police. Very SAD, the speed limit on route 7 has been lowered to 35 mph; I doubt if there has even been an arrest for going over the 35 mph. Every single day, vehicles are speeding between Patrick Henry Drive and Culmore Plaza. Plus the new vehicle noise ordinance; are you kidding me, I see and hear them every single day. Again, unfortunately WE do not have enough Police. Had there been a Police on 50 “Baig” would of been caught for 100 mph and the accident would never have happened.
LOL. Your grasp of physics is weak. 45 mph would have permitted him to stop.
Did the police check the 2 drivers for alcohol or any other substances in their system?
Stopping — hmmmmm – after crashing into her — along with Christina possibly spinning around, in turn facing Baig.
I wonder how many you considered what it might have been like looking in the rear view mirror only to see a maniac flying down your street. We do not know what happened before the impact. Was he always in the far left lane? Fight or flight will tell you to get out of the way and save yourself and your passengers with very little room for a thorough plan. I believe this is what Christina did. We know how the story ended for Christina. That being said, before you go about accusing her for making an “illegal U-turn”, consider what you would do if you were trying to run for your life. It’s always easy to sit and talk smack well after the fact. Have some empathy. There is a reason why Mirza was charged. smdh