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Plainfield Woman Caused Crash That Killed Girl, 8, Police Say

Virginia State Police say the New Jersey woman rear-ended another car that had slowed down on the interstate. A child was killed.

| Updated

VIRGINIA — A Plainfield woman is charged with causing a fatal crash that killed an 8-year-old girl Thursday afternoon in Virginia, said Virginia State Police.

Police say Kathleen Gajewski, 69, caused the fatal car crash on Interstate 81 southbound in Wythe County, Virginia.

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Police say Gajewski was driving a GMC Envoy southbound on the interstate at a high rate of speed when she rear-ended a Jeep Compass was slowing in the left lane.

The Jeep was slowing because of an accident ahead.

An 8-year-old girl, wearing a seatbelt, in the Jeep was killed. Three adults in the Jeep also suffered serious injuries.

Gajewski was also seriously injured in the crash, but her injuries were not life threatening.

Gajewski was criminally charged with reckless driving.

Editor's note: This story was originally reported that Gajewski is from Middlesex County. That is not correct. Plainfield is in Union County, NJ. We apologize for the error.

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