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Two young children remained hospitalized after a Mercedes traveling at extreme speed crashed early Sunday in Fairfax County, killing a 2-year-old’s parents.
Vehicle data showed the Mercedes GLA 250 was moving at 116 mph five seconds before it struck a bridge wall on Chain Bridge Road over Interstate 66 shortly after midnight, according to Fairfax County police.
The 2-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries. The child’s parents, Xiomara Herrera, 30, of Falls Church, and Alejandro Rodriguez Castillo, 27, of Sterling, died from the crash.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said Monday that officers were staying in close contact with the family as the toddler remained in critical condition.
An 8-year-old family friend who had been riding in the back seat was also hospitalized, but police said those injuries were not considered life-threatening. The 8-year-old was the only person in the vehicle properly restrained.
Car hit median before bridge wall
Police said Herrera was driving east in the Interstate 66 express lanes when she exited toward Chain Bridge Road. The Mercedes struck a median on Route 123 before slamming violently into the bridge wall.
Herrera died at the scene. Castillo, who had been in the passenger seat, later died at a hospital.
Davis said speed was unquestionably a factor, though investigators suspect the crash may have involved more than one contributing factor. Police said three of the four occupants were not wearing seat belts.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Fairfax County police at 866-411-TIP.
Crash renews warnings about seat belts
The deaths came shortly before the Memorial Day weekend, when more drivers were expected on area roads, and intensified police concerns about fatal crashes involving people who were not properly restrained.
Since 2023, Fairfax County has recorded 12 deaths in crashes involving people who were not wearing seat belts. Four of those deaths occurred during the first half of 2026.
Davis said many serious crashes are survivable when occupants are properly restrained, but the county has seen a disproportionate number of fatal collisions involving unrestrained drivers and passengers in 2026.
Children age 2 and younger should ride in rear-facing car seats with harnesses. Older children should use a car seat or booster appropriate for their height and weight, according to federal public-health guidance. Police also advise placing properly restrained children in the back seat.
The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office is offering free child safety-seat inspections Saturday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the Fairfax County Courthouse.