Pedestrian fatally struck, dragged over a mile on Columbia Pike
UPDATED: There was a fatal pedestrian hit and run in Mason District on Columbia Pike and Blair Road early this morning, according to a police scanner report posted on Twitter by Romeo @RVANOVA01.
The victim was dragged by the driver for about 1.12 miles and was found by a passing officer at 2:13 a.m. The victim’s shoes and personal effects were found at the point of impact. A K9 officer followed radiator fluid on the street to 6132 Marshall Drive where a black 2010 BMW was found with body damage, blood, beer, and other evidence. The owner of the car was found nearby.
The police department later reported that the BMW was traveling eastbound on Columbia Pike near Lincolnia Road when it struck Luis Fernando Rodriguez, 26.
The driver, Benjamin Lopez Encinas, 33, of Woodbridge, did not stop at the scene of the crash. He was taken into custody on Marshall Deive. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
Condolences to the family of the deceased. A humble observation: Where Columbia pike intersects with the Hwy 7 overpass is where everyone jaywalks nonstop. Now that jaywalking is legal, prepare for more of these stories. If the police would enforce (the former) jaywalking laws, jaywalking would be discouraged, fewer people in the road at 2 am getting hit and dragged by drunk drivers. You get what you vote for.
you are highly ignorant if you think legalizing this will encourage it. Also Jaywalking is propaganda meant to push the responsibility of driving safety on the people who get injured. Enough with the tonedeaf victim blaming. What a heartless comment. Maybe push for more traffic calming instead of prioritizing speed over human lives.
By that logic, we should have no laws, because people are not responsive to disincentives. Let’s look at pedestrian deaths in a year and see who is right.
Legalizing anything means you get more of it.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/08/29/health/recreational-cannabis-frequent-usage-wellness/index.html
I was just thinking the same thing about high speed chases….. they ended that in DC and Fairfax County followed. Crime went up in DC and Fairfax County and many many other places where these policies were implemented…..
Now DC can’t ignore the obvious anymore and they just passed a 12-1 vote to allow police to pursue fleeing cars. The question is….. will Fairfax County follow, or continue riding the self imposed crime wave??
https://wtop.com/dc/2023/07/dc-council-passes-crime-bill-gives-police-green-light-for-high-speed-chases/
Oh, no! Not another fatal pedestrian crash in my area! This has got to stop!
Dear God. This is beyond brutal. Prayers for the family of the young man murdered by this idiot
My guess is the victim was not 100% blameless. Cars don’t belong on sidewalks and people don’t belong jaywalking in the middle of the road in a trash neighborhood at 2 am. Look at the Neighbors app crime map if you don’t think this is a trash area.
And people SHOULDNT BE DRIVING DRUNK. Jesus Christ.
Any update on the driver of the car?
OR Is Noone Saying
Another situation-Oh no figure prints-no cameras—
Thanks,
CJ
The police department announced new charges against Benjamin Lopez Encinas on Aug. 14: aggravated DWI manslaughter and felony hit and run. He remains in jail without bond.