Annandale woman, 74, dies in fatal crash in Ballston

A 74-year-old Annandale woman died Wednesday morning in a car crash that caused a fire in an underground parking garage.

Adele Lapinell was the only person in the vehicle when it struck a protective barrier to a gas line, causing a fire, at about 8:30 a.m., according to a police statement. The garage is in the 900 block of North Stafford Street in Ballston.

The Arlington County Fire Department evacuated several floors above the garage because of smoke, police stated. They found the woman in her vehicle, dead.

"At this point it appears to be accidental," said Arlington County Police Detective Crystal Nosal. 

Investigators believe the crash likely resulted from a medical issue with the driver.