Available 
Alexandria, Arlington County, Va., Oct. 1, 2026 — Three teenagers died, and a fourth was hospitalized after a stolen vehicle crashed off an interstate exit ramp early on Monday morning, September 28, following a brief pursuit by a state trooper, according to the Virginia State Police.
The chase began around 12:45 a.m. when a trooper spotted the stolen vehicle near Stevenson Road and South Walker Street in Alexandria. The driver reportedly refused to stop, and the vehicle entered I-395 NB before attempting to exit at Shirlington Road at high speed. Troopers say the driver lost control on the ramp, ran off the right side and struck a Jersey barrier. The pursuit lasted about two minutes and covered roughly five miles before the crash.
A 17-year-old male passenger died at the scene. The 16-year-old male driver and a second 16-year-old male passenger, both reportedly from Silver Spring, Maryland, were taken to area hospitals and later died of their injuries. A 16-year-old girl from Alexandria survived and remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition, state police said, after earlier being reported as having life-threatening injuries.
Investigators said none of the four occupants were wearing seat belts, and the 16-year-old driver did not hold a valid driver's license. The vehicle had reportedly been stolen out of Prince George's County, Maryland, two days before the crash. The investigation remains open.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who died.
When Pursuit-Related Crashes Are Most Likely to Turn Deadly
Police pursuits involving stolen vehicles tend to cluster late at night and in the early morning hours, when roads are emptier and drivers, usually young and inexperienced, feel freer to accelerate. Fatigue and low visibility compound the risk, and fleeing drivers frequently make split-second decisions at highway exits and interchanges, where speed differentials are already high.
Weeknight hours between midnight and dawn also see fewer other vehicles on the road, which can tempt a fleeing driver to take sharper risks, believing the danger to others is lower. Ramps and curves, like the one involved in this type of crash, demand precise speed control that a panicked or inexperienced driver usually cannot manage.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23,959 passenger-vehicle occupants were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Unbelted occupants, especially in high-speed single-vehicle crashes like rollovers or ramp departures, make up a large share of that toll.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Move to a safe location if possible, call 911, and seek medical evaluation even if injuries aren't immediately obvious. Document the scene with photos if you're able, and wait for law enforcement to arrive and file a report.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Crashes concentrate on highway ramps, intersections, and curves where speed changes quickly. Nighttime and early morning hours see a higher share of serious and fatal crashes due to reduced visibility and higher average speeds.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Head, neck, and chest injuries are common in high-speed crashes, particularly when occupants aren't wearing seat belts. Ejection and being thrown against the vehicle's interior significantly raise the risk of fatal injury.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Alexandria, VA
If you or someone you know is involved in a serious crash in Alexandria, call 911 immediately and stay with the injured if it's safe to do so. Follow up with a full medical evaluation even for passengers who seem uninjured, since some injuries take hours to appear. Keep a copy of the police report once it's available, and reach out to your insurance provider to begin documenting the incident.
