Chevy Malibu Sought In I-66 Fatal Hit-And-Run Crash Found In Fairfax

FAIRFAX, VA — Virginia State Police received a tip late Thursday that led them to locating the car they say was involved in a hit and run crash that killed a Culpeper man earlier in the day on I-66.

The tip led investigators to a public parking garage in Fairfax County, where they discovered the damaged Chevrolet Malibu, according to an email from Corinne N. Geller, the VSP public relations director, on Friday.

"The Malibu has been seized as evidence and is being processed, Geller said, in the email. "The temporary tags displayed on the vehicle do not belong to the vehicle. The investigation into identifying and locating the driver of the Malibu remains ongoing at this time."

Around 12:58 a.m., on Thursday, a Honda Accord and a Ford Taurus collided in the eastbound lanes of I-66 in Fairfax County, according to state police. The driver of the Taurus ran off and the Honda driver was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

A highway worker observed the crash and reported it to his supervisor. He then exited his work vehicle and ran toward the crash scene to check on the condition of the Honda driver.

A third vehicle entered the work zone at a high rate of speed, striking the worker before driving off without stopping.

State police identified the worker as 32-year-old Jonathan W. Franzell of Culpeper. The victim did not survive his injuries and died at the scene of the collision.

After examining debris from the crash scene, VSP investigators identified the vehicle that struck Franzell as 2013-2015 maroon/burgundy Chevrolet Malibu.

Anyone who has information about the Chevrolet Malibu or this incident is asked to contact VSP at 703-803-0026 or questions@vsp.virginia.gov.