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An Ohio man was allegedly driving faster than 100 mph when his pickup slammed into a minivan on Interstate 495 in Fairfax County on Christmas night, killing an Annandale grandmother and her teenage granddaughter.
Virginia State Police obtained warrants charging Devin Juliana, 48, of Steubenville, Ohio, with reckless driving after the Dec. 25 crash. Police were still trying to locate Juliana to serve the warrants and interview him, spokesman Matthew Demlein said.
The collision occurred around 10:39 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 49. Investigators said the Toyota Sienna was traveling near the posted 55 mph speed limit in the center main lanes when Juliana’s Dodge Ram struck it from behind.
The impact crushed the minivan’s rear passenger compartment and forced the Sienna into the Express Lanes, according to police. Witnesses reported seeing the heavily damaged vehicle there.
Police said all five occupants were taken to hospitals. Su “Theresa” Nguyen, 75, and her 15-year-old granddaughter, Annie, later died. Annie’s 12-year-old brother, Andy, suffered serious head injuries, according to a fundraising campaign organized for the family.
Troopers found the damaged pickup a short distance away in the I-495 main lanes. Juliana and his 43-year-old passenger were both injured and transported to a hospital.
The family’s fundraising page said six relatives had been traveling home from a holiday gathering when the pickup hit their minivan. It described the Vu family as reeling from the two deaths while Andy and his parents faced a long recovery.
Annie was remembered as a bright and kind teenager who enjoyed playing piano and baking and was devoted to her younger brother. Nguyen was described as a loving mother and grandmother with a beautiful singing voice who took her grandchildren to church each Sunday.