Virginia

Police Cruiser Fatally Strikes Pedestrian in Fairfax County

A police cruiser struck and killed a man who was crossing an intersection in West Falls Church, Virginia, early Sunday morning, police say.

Carlos Romeo Montoya was killed, police said. He was 40. 

The officer involved was driving the cruiser east on Route 50 and going through the intersection of Graham Road at about 12:15 a.m. when the cruiser struck the man, Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.

Medics rushed Montoya to the hospital, where he died. 

Roessler said the officer had the green light and was responding to a call about "disorderly subjects" at the time of the crash.

"The pedestrian, unfortunately, was crossing against the 'Don't Walk' sign," Roessler said.

Roessler said there was no indication the officer had active lights and sirens on. The department is investigating how fast the cruiser was going at the time of the crash. Roessler said the speed limit in the area is 45 mph.

There are street lights and other safety devices at the intersection, but Roessler said the intersection "is of concern to the Virginia Department of Transportation,  and they had previously scheduled a meeting that's coming up this week to talk about traffic improvements in that area to make it safer."

The police department's crash reconstruction unit is handling the investigation. The officer will be assigned administrative duties pending the outcome of the investigation, Roessler said.

Sunday's crash markes the 14th pedestrian fatality in Fairfax County this year, Roessler said.

VDOT is holding a public information meeting Monday evening to discuss that stretch of Route 50 where the crash happened. Check here for more information.

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