Virginia State Police are investigating two separate fatal car accidents that took place hours apart in Northern Virginia.
The first crash, which investigators say took place at 3:50 p.m. Friday, killed 28-year-old Todd Nichols of Bentonville, Va. Police say that Nichols' 2011 Hyundai Accent was traveling north on Route 17 in Fauquier County when it ran off the road half a mile south of Interstate 66, striking a fence and a tree before spinning and striking a second tree. Nichols was not wearing a seat belt.
The second accident took place at around 5 a.m. Saturday, when investigators say 20-year-old Philip Oliver of Fredericksburg was killed after his 2000 Toyota Camry ran off the road coming through a curve. Investigators say the Camry was traveling south on Route 616 in Stafford County, south of Harwood Lane, when it hit a ditch and several mailboxes before overturning and striking a utility pole. Authorities say that Oliver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the car.
The cause of both accidents remain under investigation.
