Pedestrian Dies After Early February Crash In Franconia Area

FRANCONIA, VA — A pedestrian has died after a Feb. 5 crash in the Franconia area near Fort Belvoir, according to Fairfax County Police.

The crash happened around 3:45 p.m. near the intersection of Telegraph Road and Jeff Todd Way. Police say a woman was walking on the sidewalk when a 1999 Honda Accord heading south on Telegraph Road had a mechanical malfunction with a tire. That malfunction resulted in steering loss, and the vehicle went off the road and struck the woman.

The woman, identified as Christine Caldwell, 70, of Alexandria, was taken to the hospital and died of her injuries on Feb. 25.

According to Caldwell's obituary, she is remembered as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. She previously worked for C&P Telephone Company, Bell Atlantic and Verizon. She had also served a one-year fellowship with the late Sen. Alan J. Dixon (D-IL). After retiring from Verizon, she taught at the University of Maryland and Northern Virginia Community College.

She was also involved in volunteer opportunities, serving as a court-appointed special advocate for children, reading for the blind at the Metropolitan Washington Ear, serving as food chairperson with Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO), working for Treasure Coast Hospice, becoming a greeter for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), delivering for Meals on Wheels, and reading for school children in Fairfax County.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged for charities Caldwell supported: Marians or ECHO. Caldwell will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a later time.

Police say the crash resulted in Fairfax County's second pedestrian fatality this year. The case will be reviewed by the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.