FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Two drivers have been charged with reckless driving following a fiery crash that killed three people, including a juvenile, Sunday afternoon on the Interstate 66 Express Lanes in Fairfax County, according to Virginia State Police.
Walter R. Juarez Bautista, 55, of Virginia, and Jesus Huaman, 45, of Maryland, were both charged with reckless driving as state police continue investigating the circumstances leading up to the triple-fatal crash.
The crash occurred around 4:10 p.m. Sunday, in the westbound I-66 Express Lanes near mile marker 64, police said.
A preliminary investigation found that a Toyota 4Runner and a commercial motor vehicle had stopped in the right travel lane following an interaction between the vehicles, according to state police.
During that interaction, the 4Runner was forced out of the lane and struck bollards separating the Express Lanes, police said.
After the Toyota and commercial vehicle stopped in the travel lane, a Honda Pilot struck the commercial vehicle, which was carrying oxygen tanks, according to police. The Honda then caught fire.
All three people inside the Honda — two adults and a juvenile — died at the scene.
State police did not identify the three people who died in Tuesday's update.
Juarez Bautista was identified as the driver of the 4Runner, while Huaman was driving the commercial vehicle, police said.
Virginia State Police did not provide additional details about what led to the interaction between the 4Runner and commercial vehicle or specify the conduct that resulted in the reckless driving charges.
The crash remains under investigation.
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