A truck driver is suffering from life-threatening injuries and an 18-year-old man is in jail after a serious crash on Route 28 in Sterling, Virginia, authorities say.
Jose A. Padilla Espinoza was driving a black Nissan Altima southbound on Route 28 Monday evening, when the car hit a semi-truck and caused the truck to overturn and catch fire, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said.
Video of the crash appears to show a car clip the tractor-trailer. Then, the truck veers toward the right shoulder of the road, flips over and bursts into flames.
The sheriff's office said other drivers stopped and rushed to help pull the tractor-trailer driver out of the burning cab. The driver remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
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The Altima also hit a blue Toyota Prius, the sheriff's office said. Medics took the Prius driver and Padilla Espinoza to hospitals, and they were both released, according to authorites.
After Padilla Espinoza went to a hospital, he was arrested and charged with having forged tags and driving without insurance. He's being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond, and the sheriff's office said additional charges against him are pending.
Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash, but believe speed was a factor.
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They're asking anyone who might have been in the area of the crash or who witnessed what led up to the crash to call 703-777-1021 or email Tyler.Bradley@Loudoun.gov. People can also submit anonymous tips to 703-777-1919.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story reported the suspect's last name as "Espinosa," per the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Authorities have since said his name is "Espinoza."
