Fatality @ Rt.1 & Backlick Road:
Date: October 07, 2009 02:43AM
Agree: the time of the accident is misstated by approximately one hour. On Monday, October 6, 2009, at approx. 09:15 pm., I was traveling southbound on highway no.1, at the intersection where the accident occurred. I noticed that the cement overpass was unusually dark, before proceeding to the traffic light at the bottom of the hill. It's a busy intersection; people tend to drive fast. The light had turned green. Mine was the lead vehicle, so to speak, in the right-hand lane. I noticed an African American male wearing a light colored shirt crossing no.1, from west to east, and at the south end of the intersection. He walked into the southbound lane, just as the light turned green. His gait was too slow to cross safely. I had been slowing in anticipation of coming to a complete stop while the light was red.
So, I could easily stop. There were however three other lanes of traffic. At that juncture, the pedestrian seemed to realize the situation and began to sprint. I've been driving in Fairfax County for a good many years. My initial reaction was one of annoyance: what, this fellow wants to get hit? I immediately chastised myself as he began to run. Poor guy. Just not thinking. I hope this wasn’t the individual, but the age description matches. I did an errand and upon returning northbound found the intersection full of emergency vehicles. I stopped at a fast food place, but later saw the ambulance proceeding north to Innova Mt. Vernon. It’s a small world, and it’s tragic to lose anyone before his or her time. Although should this have been the victim, the driver of the Toyota and the insurer may wish to consider his prior acts leading up to the accident.