STAFFORD, Va. – Virginia State Police are investigating a serious three-vehicle crash that shut down local northbound lanes of Interstate 95 near the Rappahannock River Bridge on Saturday night.

The crash happened at 8:25 p.m. on May 17 at mile marker 132, just north of Fredericksburg. According to police, a 2007 Mazda Speed 3 was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver attempted to squeeze between two vehicles—a Hyundai Palisade in the left lane and an unknown vehicle in the middle lane. The Mazda collided with the Hyundai, causing it to flip onto the guardrail.

The driver of the Mazda, 23-year-old Joseph T. Celich of Stafford, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the car. As he lay in the roadway, a 2017 Nissan Sentra traveling northbound struck him and then collided with the wrecked Mazda. Celich was transported to Mary Washington Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

A 24-year-old female passenger in the Mazda, also not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. She was also taken to Mary Washington Hospital.

The Hyundai’s driver, a 42-year-old man from Alexandria, and his four passengers—including three children—suffered minor injuries and were all transported to the hospital. Police said everyone in the Hyundai was properly restrained.

The 17-year-old male driver of the Nissan was not injured and had been wearing a seatbelt.

Virginia State Police say charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Updated 2:50 p.m. – Stafford County Public Schools is alerting families to expect afternoon bus delays after a portion of Interstate 95 near Garrisonville Road was unexpectedly shut down Monday.

In a message sent to parents, school officials said all bus routes passing through the area will be delayed. Families are encouraged to check the MyRide K-12 app for real-time updates on their child’s bus status.

“We apologize for this unforeseen inconvenience and appreciate your patience,” the school division said in its alert.

Officials have not released details about what caused the highway closure.

Updated 12:20 p.m. – Interstate 95 has reopened.

Original post 11:15 a.m. – STAFFORD, Va. – A crash involving a tractor-trailer has shut down all lanes of Interstate 95 northbound near mile marker 142 in Stafford County, just two miles north of exit 140 at Courthouse Road.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the crash has forced a complete closure of the northbound lanes. All I-95 northbound traffic is being diverted at exit 140 to Route 630 (Courthouse Road/Hospital Center Boulevard), and then onto Route 1. Signal timing along Route 1 is being adjusted to help manage the increased traffic.

Drivers are urged to seek alternate routes to avoid significant delays. Congestion is building rapidly on northbound I-95 approaching the detour point, and heavy traffic is expected through the Stafford Courthouse area.

Southbound lanes of I-95 remain open near exit 140.

Real-time updates on the closure are available at 511Virginia.

STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County Fire and Rescue says all northbound lanes of Interstate 95 were shut down around 8:45 p.m. Saturday in the area of mile marker 132.9/133, just north of the Rappahannock River bridge, following a traffic crash. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

About 15 minutes later, the Virginia Department of Transportation clarified that the closure affected the local lanes of I-95 northbound. In a social media post just before 9 p.m., VDOT said the entrance ramps to I-95 northbound from Exit 130 (Route 3) in Fredericksburg were closed due to the crash near mile marker 132.

VDOT added that the through lanes of I-95 northbound remained open but with reduced capacity. Drivers were advised to use exits 133 (Route 17) or 126 (Massaponax) to access northbound I-95.

Officials have not released additional details about the crash or how long the closure is expected to last.

Follow PotomacLocal.com online and on social media for updates.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGo!) is rolling out route realignments and a new route naming system for its Spotsylvania County bus service, with changes set to take effect on May 19, 2025.

According to FXBGo!, the adjustments come after extensive community feedback gathered through its Transit Strategic Plan. The updated routes aim to streamline service, reduce travel times, and better connect riders to key destinations throughout Spotsylvania County.

As part of the update, FXBGo! will retire letter-based route names, switching to a number-only naming system designed to make navigating the system easier for riders. New maps and updated schedules reflecting the changes will be available at Central Station and online at rideFXBGO.com.

“Our riders have been very instrumental in helping us to shape changes that will benefit the entire system. We are certain that the changes to the Spotsylvania Routes will have a positive impact on how our customers utilize the system,” said Jamie Jackson, Director of Public Transit and Transportation for FXBGo!

For more information about the route changes or to view updated maps and schedules, visit ridefxbgo.com or follow FXBGo! on Facebook.

FXBGo! Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGo) is the public transportation provider serving the Fredericksburg region, including the City of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County. FXBGo offers a network of affordable and reliable fixed-route bus services, ADA-compliant paratransit services, and specialized transportation options designed to meet the needs of residents, commuters, students, and visitors.

MANASSAS, Va. – Drivers traveling on northbound Prince William Parkway near Balls Ford Road in Manassas should expect overnight lane closures later this week.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, crews plan to close the parkway’s right lane on Friday night, May 16, and Saturday night, May 17, to make repairs to the Balls Ford Road overpass.

The scheduled closure times are:

• 10 p.m. Friday, May 16, to 8 a.m. Saturday, May 17

• 10 p.m. Saturday, May 17, to 9 a.m. Sunday, May 18

• Backup date, if needed: 9 p.m. Sunday, May 18, to 5 a.m. Monday, May 19

VDOT reminds drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to stay alert, watch for changing traffic patterns, and limit distractions while traveling through active work zones.

For real-time traffic updates and work zone information, visit 511Virginia, download the 511Virginia app, or call 511.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – A motorcyclist was killed Friday night in a collision at the intersection of Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge.

According to the Prince William County Police Department, the crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. on May 10. Investigators say the rider of a 2019 Indian FTR 1200 motorcycle was heading east on Minnieville Road when he ran a red light at Prince William Parkway. At the same time, a 2019 Kia Soul, traveling westbound, began turning left onto Prince William Parkway when the two vehicles collided.

Police say the impact threw the rider from the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Kia Soul, a 61-year-old woman from Woodbridge, and her passenger were treated for minor injuries.

The motorcyclist has been identified as 28-year-old Christian Alexis Zayas of Woodbridge.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the department as the investigation continues.

Drivers traveling on Interstate 95 and local roads through Northern Virginia and the Fredericksburg region this week should plan for overnight lane closures, ramp work, and rest area closures, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

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WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Police have charged a Woodbridge man with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving after a crash earlier this month that killed a 32-year-old woman.

According to a press release from the Prince William County Police Department, the crash happened on May 1 at the intersection of Dale Boulevard and Barksdale Street in Woodbridge. Investigators say the driver of a 2020 Honda Civic, identified as 23-year-old Luis Alejandro Anariba, was speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the posted 45 mph speed limit when the collision occurred.

Police said the driver of a 2008 Honda Civic was making a left turn toward Barksdale Street when the two vehicles collided. A passenger in the 2008 Honda, identified as Evangelina Castro, 32, of Woodbridge, had to be extricated from the vehicle. She later died at the hospital. The driver of that car, a 34-year-old man from Woodbridge, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Anariba, who remained at the scene and was not injured, was arrested on May 8. He is being held without bond, and a court date is pending.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A major transportation project in North Woodbridge is almost finished, promising smoother travel and better connections across the growing area.

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STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has kicked off a new traffic enforcement effort aimed at improving road safety ahead of Memorial Day and the busy summer season. The initiative, known as the F.O.C.U.S. Campaign, launched in early May and will run through May 11.

According to the agency’s Traffic Safety Unit, the campaign was developed based on proactive ideas from deputies and has the full support of the department’s leadership. The goal: to reduce crashes, speeding, equipment violations, impaired driving, and traffic-related deaths across the county.

While all of Stafford County will be under watch, deputies will give extra attention to crash-prone areas like Richmond Highway, Warrenton Road, Kings Highway, Courthouse Road, and Garrisonville Road. School zones and neighborhood streets will also be key focus areas, selected using crash “heat maps” from the state.

During the campaign, deputies are using radar and LiDAR devices for speed enforcement, watching for signs of impaired driving, and stepping up patrols in residential zones. Officials say campaign results will be available after May 11 to help educate the public and reinforce safe driving practices.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking drivers to do their part by obeying speed limits and traffic laws. Residents can report traffic violations online through a complaint form at staffordsheriff.com, or call the non-emergency number 540-658-4400 to report dangerous drivers.