On October 27, 1940, Susan Duffy, a 57-year-old woman from New Castle, Delaware, died when she lost control of her car and crashed into a dirt embankment on Lee Highway, about 5 miles west of Fairfax City (near present day Centreville).

Several other members of Mrs. Duffy's family that had been riding in the car were injured, as was Katherine Murphy, who had been traveling with Mrs. Duffy.