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Woodbridge, VA (March 9, 2026) – Two people lost their lives, and another driver suffered life-threatening injuries following a multi-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver on Sunday evening in Woodbridge, according to authorities.
Officers with the Prince William County Police Department responded around 6:45 p.m. to the intersection of Cardinal Drive and Whips Run Drive to investigate the collision.
Preliminary findings indicate that the driver of a 2015 Hyundai Genesis was traveling the wrong way in the eastbound lanes of Cardinal Drive as the vehicle approached the intersection with Whips Run Drive. The Genesis then collided head-on with an eastbound 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Authorities said the force of the impact caused the Santa Fe to strike a 2025 GMC Hummer EV that was also traveling eastbound along Cardinal Drive. Debris from the crash was scattered into a nearby driveway on Whips Run Drive, where it struck an unoccupied 2024 Honda Accord.
The driver of the Hyundai Genesis, a 27-year-old woman, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver and passenger of the Hyundai Santa Fe, identified as a 40-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man, were also taken to a hospital. Authorities said both individuals later died from their injuries.
The police reported that the 23-year-old man driving the GMC Hummer was not injured in the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the Prince William County Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact investigators.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the individuals who lost their lives in this tragic accident.
What Factors Contribute to Wrong-Way Collisions?
Wrong-way crashes are particularly dangerous because they frequently result in head-on collisions between vehicles traveling in opposite directions. These types of impacts often produce severe damage due to the combined force of both vehicles moving toward each other.
Roadways such as Cardinal Drive can carry steady traffic in both directions, making it especially hazardous when a vehicle enters the roadway against the flow of traffic. In some cases, a wrong-way driver may collide with multiple vehicles if the initial impact pushes other vehicles into the path of traffic.
Investigators examining these incidents typically review possible contributing factors such as driver impairment, confusion at intersections, roadway design, and driver behavior.
