Teen Driver Charged After Fatal Gainesville Crash: Police

GAINESVILLE, VA — A 16-year-old is charged with reckless driving after a crash in Gainesville killed a 19-year-old man, the Prince William County Police Department said. Investigators said the two drivers were speeding when they crashed.

Authorities identified the deceased driver as Qais Jalani of Haymarket. He died at an area hospital after the crash.

A passenger in Jalani's car, a 19-year-old man from Gainesville, was also injured in the crash. His injuries were not life-threatening, the police department said.

Authorities have not publicly identified the teen involved with the crash. He is charged with reckless driving and driving without a license. His court date is pending.

Virginia law prevents law enforcement agencies from identifying minors accused of crimes.

The crash occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning on Catharpin Road near Fallen Oaks Place in Gainesville. Investigators said a Toyota Corolla and a Hyundai Elantra, driven by Jalani, were speeding southbound on Catharpin Road.

The driver of the Corolla crossed a double-yellow line to pass Jalani in the Elantra. Jalani then tried to pass the Corolla in a no passing zone, according to the police report.

The Elantra hit the rear of the Corolla as it tried to pass, which caused the Corolla to spin in the roadway. A northbound 2006 Scion crashed into the Corolla, authorities said.

Jalani's Elantra ran off the road, went down an embankment, and hit a tree, investigators said. The police department noted that Jalani and the driver of the Corolla were not wearing seat belts when they crashed.

Authorities are still investigating the crash, but they noted that speed was a factor.