Virginia State Police Senior Trooper J.D. Jones is investigating a fatal crash in Orange County. The crash occurred at 2:10 a.m. Sunday (Dec. 23), in the 25,400 block of Constitution Highway.
A 2013 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling south on Constitution Highway when it crossed the center line into the northbound travel lane. The Chevrolet first sideswiped a northbound 2013 Toyota Tacoma. The Toyota pickup truck had swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid the oncoming Chevrolet pickup truck. The Chevrolet then struck head-on and drove up onto a northbound 2009 Honda Civic.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Noah C. Smith, 20, of Unionville, Va., was not injured in the crash. He was wearing a seat belt.
The driver of the Toyota, Jose Portillo-Melgar, 23, of Baton Rouge, La., was transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. His front seat passenger, Argentina Santiago, 54, of Fredericksburg, Va., was flown to UVA Medical Center for treatment of life-threatening injuries. A 3-year-old male passenger was transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The two adults were wearing seat belts and the juvenile was in a child safety seat.
The driver of the Honda, Delmys M. De Jesus, 29, of Fredericksburg, Va., died at the scene. She was wearing a seat belt. A 7-year-old female passenger was transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Both the driver and juvenile passenger were wearing seatbelts.
Smith was arrested for DUI and for DUI Manslaughter. He is currently being held without bond at the Central Virginia Regional Jail.
The Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team is assisting with the ongoing crash investigation.
