Police arrest driver in April fatality of boy, 13, at PW Parkway and University Blvd.

Fatal Crash Investigation *ARREST – On June 21, 2021 investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit obtained charges against the driver of the 2002 Honda Civic involved in the fatal collision that occurred in the area of the Prince William Pkwy and University Blvd in Manassas (20110) on April 4.

The crash killed a 13-year-old male juvenile and injured three other occupants in the vehicle including a 35-year-old woman, a 16-year-old male juvenile, and a 9-year-old boy.  The 34-year-old male driver of the other vehicle involved, a 2003 Ford F-250, was also treated for minor injuries.

The investigation revealed that the accused struck a separate vehicle, a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, in the area of Sudley Rd and Portsmouth Rd in Manassas before fleeing the scene. The other driver involved in that collision, identified as a 37-year-old woman, followed the accused to the area of the Prince William Pkwy were the fatal crash occurred.

No injuries and minor damage were reported in the initial crash. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Edward Yojan AGUIRRE BENITEZ, was charged.

Charged on June 21: [
Edward Yojan AGUIRRE BENITEZ, 34, of 12560 Erroll Ln in Bristow
Charged with reckless driving, hit & run, and no operator’s license
Court Date: September 20, 2021 | Status: Released on Summons

Identified:
The deceased occupant in the 2002 Honda Civic was identified as a 13-year-old male juvenile of Bristow

Fatal Crash Investigation [Previously Released] – On April 4 at 5:11PM, investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit responded to the area of the Prince William Pkwy and University Blvd in Manassas (20110) to investigate a crash. The investigation revealed that the driver of 2002 Honda Civic was traveling westbound on University Blvd and attempted to make a left onto the Prince William Pkwy against a red traffic signal. The vehicle entered the intersection and collided with a 2003 Ford F-250 that was traveling southbound on the Prince William Pkwy proceeding through the intersection. The collision impacted the rear passenger compartment of the Civic. Two adults were seated in the front of the Civic while three juveniles were seated in the backseat. One of the occupants, identified as 13-year-old male juvenile, was pinned inside the vehicle, and extracted by an off-duty police officer and a responding officer. The officers performed CPR on the juvenile prior to Fire & Rescue personnel arriving at the location. All five occupants of the Civic were transported to area hospitals where the 13-year-old died as a result of his injuries from the crash. The deceased and another occupant in the Civic, identified as a 16-year-old male juvenile, were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. As a result of the force from the collision, the 16-year-old was ejected from the vehicle and sustained serious, life-threatening injuries. The third juvenile occupant, a 9-year-old boy, also sustained serious injuries. The two adult occupants in the Civic and the driver of the driver of the F-250 were treated at an area hospital for minor injuries. Due to a 2017 law change, the identity of the deceased juvenile is not being released. Speed does appear to be a contributing factor in the collision. Additional information about the crash will be released when it becomes available. The investigation continues.