- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Woodbridge Today
By the People, for the People
70-Year-Old Man Fatally Struck Crossing Busy Virginia Highway During Rush Hour
Police say the pedestrian was not in a designated crosswalk when he was hit by a teen driver.
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A 70-year-old man was killed while trying to cross a heavily traveled highway in Woodbridge, Virginia during the evening rush hour on Tuesday. Julio Carlos Cruz Merino was struck by a 2025 Toyota Camry driven by a 19-year-old and later died from his injuries at the hospital. Police say Cruz Merino was not in a designated crosswalk or safe crossing area at the time of the crash.
Why it matters
This tragic incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face when crossing busy highways, especially during high-traffic times like rush hour. It also raises questions about road safety measures and infrastructure in the area to protect vulnerable road users.
The details
According to the Prince William County Police Department, the crash occurred around 6 p.m. on February 17 on Richmond Highway near Opitz Boulevard in Woodbridge. Cruz Merino was struck by the 19-year-old driver of the Toyota Camry while trying to cross the southbound lanes. The driver remained at the scene and was uninjured.
- The crash occurred around 6 p.m. on February 17, 2026.
- Cruz Merino was struck while trying to cross the highway during the evening rush hour.
The players
Julio Carlos Cruz Merino
A 70-year-old resident of Woodbridge, Virginia who was fatally struck by a vehicle while trying to cross a busy highway.
19-year-old driver
The driver of the 2025 Toyota Camry that struck and killed Cruz Merino. The driver remained at the scene and was uninjured.
What’s next
The crash remains under investigation by the Prince William County Police Department.
The takeaway
This tragic incident underscores the need for improved road safety measures and infrastructure to protect pedestrians, especially in high-traffic areas. It also raises questions about driver education and awareness when it comes to sharing the road with vulnerable road users.
