the Virginia State Police (VSP) is continuing its investigation into a tragic multi-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 20-year-old Manassas man on Saturday, August 2, 2025, on Interstate 66 westbound at Fairfax County Parkway.
As part of their ongoing efforts to gather comprehensive information about the collision, authorities are now urging the public for assistance. If anyone witnessed the crash or has video footage—including dashcam recordings—from the area around the time of the incident, they are asked to contact Trooper A. King at:
703-687-2631
Public cooperation could prove vital in helping to determine exactly what led to the crash and in finalizing any potential charges.
INITIAL RELEASE – August 4, 2025: Fatal Crash on I-66 in Fairfax County Under Investigation
At approximately 5:51 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025, Virginia State Police responded to a fatal two-vehicle collision on I-66 westbound near the Fairfax County Parkway in Fairfax County. The crash has left one young man dead and two others, including a child, with injuries.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a 1996 Nissan pickup truck was stopped in a travel lane due to a mechanical failure when it was struck from behind by a 2016 Honda Pilot. The violent impact pushed the Nissan pickup out of the lane and over to the left side of the interstate, where it collided with protective bollards separating the main travel lanes from the Express Lanes. The pickup then crossed into the Express Lanes, veered off, and ultimately came to rest on the left shoulder, where it caught fire.
Emergency crews responded swiftly to the scene, but tragically, the driver of the pickup—Will R. Hernandez-Villalta, age 20, of Manassas, Virginia—was pronounced dead at the scene. According to authorities, he was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
The driver of the Honda Pilot, Danielle M. McKinnon, age 38, of Chantilly, Virginia, and a juvenile passenger sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene. They are expected to recover.
Investigation and Charges
The Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team has been assigned to the case and continues to analyze evidence from the scene. Charges are pending, and authorities are working diligently to determine contributing factors such as speed, distracted driving, or failure to move over or slow down for a disabled vehicle in a travel lane.
Investigators are also considering the placement and visibility of the disabled vehicle prior to impact. Whether it had proper hazard signals or lights activated is still under review.
Community Shock and Appeal for Help
The death of Will R. Hernandez-Villalta has deeply saddened the local community. Friends and family describe Will as a kind and hardworking young man with his life ahead of him. A recent high school graduate with aspirations in automotive repair, Will’s sudden death has left a void that will not soon be filled.
As the investigation continues, authorities emphasize the importance of public assistance. Any witnesses, or individuals who were in the area and may have dashcam footage, are encouraged to come forward. This information could be critical in establishing the sequence of events that led to the collision.
Safety Reminder from Virginia State Police
This tragic incident also serves as a solemn reminder of the Move Over Law in Virginia, which requires drivers to yield or reduce speed when approaching stopped or disabled vehicles, especially in travel lanes or shoulders. Awareness and caution can be the difference between life and death.
Virginia State Police urge all motorists to:
- Remain attentive while driving
- Never use mobile devices while operating a vehicle
- Slow down when approaching roadside incidents or stopped vehicles
- Move over when safe to do so
As the community mourns the loss of a promising young man, Virginia State Police are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and bringing clarity—and possibly justice—to a case that has left heartbreak in its wake.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
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