Hybla Valley, VA – A Fairfax County police officer is under investigation after he allegedly ran over a woman who had already been struck in a hit-and-run, killing her at the scene. Authorities say the officer, identified as Officer Jalin Phillips, fatally hit 62-year-old Trina Jones on September 23, moments after arriving to assist the victim.
The Incident: Officer Strikes Victim a Second Time
According to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD), officers were responding to reports of a pedestrian hit by a black Mercedes at an intersection in Hybla Valley, Virginia. Witnesses said Trina Jones had been struck while crossing the road but was still conscious when police were called.
Dashcam footage released by FCPD shows Officer Phillips’ patrol car approaching the scene. The vehicle appears to slow down but fails to stop completely before striking Jones, whose body is blurred in the released video. Immediately after the collision, Phillips can be heard exclaiming,
“Please do not tell me I just ran her over.”
The video, posted to the department’s YouTube channel, captures the tragic sequence of events. Fairfax Fire and Rescue personnel were already nearby and rushed to assist, but Jones was pronounced dead at the hospital despite lifesaving efforts.
Investigation and Dashcam Evidence
During a press conference, Police Chief Kevin Davis said Jones had been told by witnesses to move out of the road after being hit the first time. However, she reportedly told them she wanted to wait for police before moving.
A witness had parked his car nearby to form a protective barrier, but the vehicle left moments before Phillips arrived — seconds before the fatal second impact.
Chief Davis stated that Phillips was traveling between 14 and 17 miles per hour and that “there was no indication that his driving was egregious.” The dashcam footage appears to confirm that the officer was driving at a reduced speed, but visibility may have been compromised by low light conditions and movement on the scene.
Investigators have since located the black Mercedes involved in the initial hit-and-run but have not identified or arrested the driver.
Statements from Police and Public Reaction
Chief Davis described the event as a devastating and traumatic situation for both the victim’s family and the responding officer.
“I don’t want to compare and contrast what the Jones family is going through, because that is certainly something that is devastating to the family,” Davis said. “But what the young police officer goes through — it’s equally challenging and traumatic to him as well.”
The Fairfax County Police Department stated that Officer Phillips, a two-year veteran, has been placed on restrictive-duty status pending the outcome of the investigation. The department emphasized that the officer has not been charged with any crime at this stage.
The case is being reviewed by the Fairfax County Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Internal Affairs Bureau to determine if departmental policies were violated or if criminal negligence occurred.
Background and Legal Context
Under Virginia law, officers responding to emergencies are required to operate vehicles with “due regard for the safety of all persons.” Legal experts note that determining liability in cases like this can be complex, especially when an officer’s actions overlap with an ongoing emergency scene.
This tragedy follows several national cases involving secondary collisions during police responses, highlighting the importance of scene management and visibility controls when responding to pedestrian accidents.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Authorities confirmed that the investigation remains active, and the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office will determine whether criminal charges are appropriate once all evidence is reviewed.
The FCPD is also conducting an internal review of its response protocols for traffic accident scenes to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, community members have expressed both sympathy for the Jones family and concern over officer training and awareness during emergency responses.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Trina Jones has raised serious questions about police response safety and accountability. As both the initial hit-and-run and the subsequent fatal collision remain under investigation, authorities are urging anyone with information about the Mercedes driver to come forward.
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