Garbage Truck Driver Charged In Fatal Fairfax City E-Bike Crash

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — A Maryland man has been charged in connection with the Sept. 9 crash that killed a 13-year-old Fairfax County Public Schools student riding a pedal-assist e-bike in Fairfax City, police announced Tuesday.

Lawrence Onley, 46, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was charged with careless driving and infliction of injury or death on vulnerable road users, according to Fairfax City Police. Onley voluntarily turned himself in and was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was issued a $1,500 secured bond. He has a pending court date in Fairfax City General District Court.

The crash occurred shortly after 2:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of Pickett Road. The 13-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The student was one of three FCPS students involved in separate incidents with vehicles that day while riding bicycles or scooters, Superintendent Michelle Reid said at the time.

Police Detail Circumstances Of Fatal Crash

Fairfax City Police provided new details Tuesday about how the fatal crash occurred.

Investigators determined that a garbage truck was exiting a shopping center onto Pickett Road. Police said the driver stopped at the exit and was looking to his left as the juvenile, who was operating a pedal-assist e-bike on the sidewalk, entered the crosswalk.

As the truck pulled forward into the roadway, it struck the student.

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Officers located a truck matching the description of the vehicle nearby and identified the driver. Police initially investigated the incident as a possible hit-and-run, but information developed during the investigation indicated that the driver did not know the truck had struck the student at the time of the crash.

The circumstances of the crash were presented to the Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and the City of Fairfax prosecutor for review before the charges were filed.

Onley was charged under Virginia Code § 46.2-816.1, which addresses careless driving resulting in injury or death to a vulnerable road user.

Fatal Crash Prompted FCPS Safety Plea

In a divisionwide letter sent the night of the crash, Reid said three FCPS students had been involved in separate incidents with vehicles that day while riding bicycles or scooters. The Fairfax City crash resulted in the death of a middle school student. Pa

"My heart is with the student’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and the entire school community as we confront this heartbreaking loss," Reid wrote in the Sept. 9 message.

Reid urged drivers to slow down, obey speed limits, watch for students at crosswalks, sidewalks and bus stops, and avoid distractions. Students walking to school were encouraged to use sidewalks and designated crosswalks, while bicyclists and scooter riders were urged to wear helmets, obey traffic signs and use bike lanes or designated paths when available.

The fatal crash occurred just over a week after a 16-year-old FCPS student was struck while walking to South Lakes High School in Reston. That student suffered minor injuries. The incident intensified an ongoing debate over pedestrian safety and Fairfax County's elimination of crossing guards at county high schools during the fiscal 2027 budget process.

Following the South Lakes crash, county officials announced that crossing guards and police officers would return to 11 locations serving 10 high schools while officials considered longer-term safety measures.

Virginia law prohibits law enforcement agencies from directly or indirectly identifying juvenile victims who have died.

The charges against Onley are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.