Ashburn Resident Dies in Route 9 Accident Sunday
Two others suffer life-threatening injuries from head-on collision in western Loudoun County.
An Ashburn resident died in Sunday night’s two-vehicle accident on Route 9 in western Loudoun County that left two other victims with life-threatening injuries, according to a report from the Virginia State Police.
The crash occurred around 6:40 p.m. when an eastbound 2010 Toyota Yaris swerved across the road’s centerline and struck a westbound 1997 Toyota Forerunner head on, according to the police report. Witnesses told officers that the driver of the Yaris appeared to be preoccupied with a handheld device moments before the crash, according to the report.
The collision closed Route 9 for about four hours. [See story in the Loudoun Times-Mirror for photos of the devastating crash.]
Investigators identified the Yaris driver as Satish Mallavaram, 36, of Ashburn, who died at the scene.
Anna M. Castro, 48, of Vienna, VA, the Forerunner’s driver, and Jose Castro-Rivas, 39, were flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Both were wearing seatbelts.
The accident remains under investigation with the assistance of the Virginia State Police Accident Reconstruction Team.
cheri
1:20 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
another example to ban cell phone use while driving.
Tom Hughes
10:25 am on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Isn't it about time that our General Assembly vote into law a ban on cell phone use of ANY KIND while operating a motor vehicle? And make it a primary offense, not a secondary offense. Really?? Who is going to get stopped by police for another infraction and be texting when the police officer approaches the driver? How stupid is that?!! Come on legislators and get with it!
why not
9:56 am on Thursday, June 2, 2011
its kinda hypocritical , since the police carry that on board computer and yes i have witnessed them using it while driving , so it kinda sends the wrong message when they start prosecutin or writing tickets for somethin they do several times during the day , on the other hand , if we did make it law and of caorse we'd have to exclude public servants ( on-duty only) - but i'm on board with this law , i was rear ended on the ffx pkwy once , although i couldn't prove that this guy was texting , there had to be a reason why he did not see my bigass truck and ran right into the back end of it while stopped at a red light . but ya , i'm all for a law !!
Christian Brown
10:31 am on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
While I understand the intent of the commenters is positive, I think we need to understand that this is an extremely painful time for the victims' families and loved ones. Let's try not to politicize it.
why not
10:09 am on Thursday, June 2, 2011
christian , this is exactly the right time to politicize this issue , one person dead and two others who escaped death , and who will be tramautized for years because of the inapropiate actions of others - people will have to learn , in life or death , that the taking of a life or the injury of ones life , the innocence of that person(s) is whats important - now this person driving , texting (or whatever ) is 100% resposible for their actions , that just because they died , doesn't mean we let it go , and i will say that this is the perfect time to bring this to the attention of the authorities , this is not an accident , this is malicious intent in my eyes - i'm sorry i don't feel anything for this man , whom i do feel badly for are the innocent victims , who were just out and about one afternoon and nearly cost them their life , something we all take for granted each and everyday of our lives - so , i don't want my life ended at the hands of an irresponsible idiot , who chose to forget what he was doin behind the wheel of a car because his or her phone rang - so get over it - i will politcize this event because of the ignorance brought by the driver that perished !!
V. Nilsov
12:30 pm on Friday, June 3, 2011
Thanks, Christian. It is easy to get angry, based on what one person thought they saw. (My wife once was accused of causing an accident because the other driver saw her on her cell. She was just calling me after the fact to let me know she had been hit.) Our prayers are with the family, regardless of what led to the collision.
why not
9:48 am on Thursday, June 2, 2011
hmmm , i've beeen waitin to hear about someone who will have killed themself or someone else because the phone was more important than the road , what did we do before cell phones ? i turn mine off , unfortunately others feel their lives would turn upside down without them and surround their entire lives around these devices , and nothing is more important than that cell - even if it leads to ones or someone elses death - thats yur alternative ? and when you confront someone about their use of the phone while driving , many use the excuse that they are on call and need that device for job purposes . oh yea, like this is a valid excuse . i'm surprised yu even have jobs , yur that stupid if your using that excuse or any for that fact - let me put it too you like this , you run into me while playin with that thing - you'll get sued by me - no if ans or buts , you've jepordized my life and now you will pay - and yes you can be sued !!
Christian Brown
12:03 pm on Thursday, June 2, 2011
-Why not:
I think I understand where you are coming from, but let me contextualize my response.
1. I may be a little sensitive to the family of Satish Mallavaram because I recently suffered a loss, and I occasionally change songs on my iPod while driving. This is an accident that could happen to anyone.
2. This is a public forum, and is a place to express any opinion that does not violate Patch's terms of service. However, because it is a public forum, it is a place where his family can see comments such as "I'm sorry i don't feel anything for this man ... i don't want my life ended at the hands of an irresponsible idiot." It may seem to be anonymous, but you have to remember that this man has a family. I can't begin to imagine what they are going through. If you would feel comfortable saying that to them at his funeral, by all means, post it here. But I'd like it if everyone would think about that before they post.
3. Finally, and most importantly, it is easy to vent our frustrations about this issue on an online forum, but it is important. If you feel that strongly about this, don't stop here. Contact your elected officials, and demand a stronger law, and stronger enforcement.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.