A driver involved in a massive accident Wednesday evening in Springfield, Va., that killed three people and injured a fourth has a history of traffic violations, News4's Julie Carey reported.
A southbound Toyota pickup truck crossed the median on Backlick Road near Interstate 95, struck a Jeep Cherokee head-on and sideswiped an Oldsmobile sedan at about 6 p.m., police said.
The driver of the Toyota, James A. Cetto II, 39, of 4656 Evansdale Road in Dale City, was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Cetto’s passenger, a 41-year-old man, was thrown from the truck and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Jeep, Katherine F. Miller, 52, of 7207 Evanston Road in Springfield, suffered significant head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 47-year-old man driving the Oldsmobile did not require medical attention.
The drivers of the Oldsmobile and the Jeep wore seatbelts, police said. The men in the Toyota did not.
The third victim's name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Crash reconstruction detectives are investigating whether alcohol or speed were factors in the crash.
According to court records, Cetto has been convicted at least 10 times of traffic offenses, Carey reported. One of the convictions was a January DWI during which he refused a breath test. He's been convicted four times of driving with a revoked or suspended license, including as recently as May. And he was convicted of running a stop sign.
It's likely he wasn't supposed to be behind the wheel, Carey reported.
One witness described hearing what sounded like an explosion.
The crash closed the busy Backlick Road for several hours, making the already frustrating evening commute even more aggravating for thousands of drivers.
