From Virginia State Police:
At 9:07 a.m., Monday (Aug. 15), Virginia State Police responded to a four-vehicle crash in Prince William County. The fatal, chain-reaction crash occurred in the westbound lanes of I-66 at the 41 mile marker.
As westbound traffic was slowing to a stop on I-66 in a work zone, a 2012 Nissan Titan pickup truck failed to brake in time and struck a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt that was traveling in front of it. The Chevrolet then struck the vehicle in front of it, which struck the vehicle in front of it…a total of four vehicles.
The driver of the Nissan, Dustin D. Skidgel, 27, of Markham, Va., was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. He was wearing a seat belt. Skidgel was charged with reckless driving.
The driver, Simone E. Rhodes, 26, of Washington, DC, and front seat passenger, Gerald S. Mitchel, 34, of Washington, D.C., of the Chevrolet were flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening injuries. They were both wearing seat belts. The couple’s daughter, Nayla P.R. Mitchel, 5, of Washington, D.C., was secured in a booster seat in the backseat. She died at the scene.
The drivers of the last two vehicles were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation. All westbound lanes were cleared and re-opened by 1 p.m. Monday.
