Marine charged with manslaughter after suspected DUI crash kills mother, child on I-95 in Stafford
2 dead in overnight crash on I-95 in Stafford | FOX 5 AT 6AM
Two people died early Friday morning after a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 95 northbound in Stafford County, causing major delays for morning commuters.
STAFFORD, Va. - A local mother and her young child were killed early Friday morning after a speeding driver with a blood alcohol concentration more than twice the legal limit rear-ended their SUV on Interstate 95, according to authorities.
What we know:
The crash occurred around 1:53 a.m. near mile marker 141 in Stafford County. A preliminary investigation by the Virginia State Police found that a Dodge Charger traveling at a high rate of speed struck the rear of a Nissan Rogue carrying a Stafford family. The impact forced the SUV off the left side of the roadway, causing it to overturn.
The mother, an adult passenger in the Rogue, died at the scene. A child passenger under the age of 5 was taken to an area hospital, where they later died from their injuries. The driver of the SUV, the father and husband of the victims, suffered life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized.
Driver faces DUI charges after crash on I-95 in Stafford kills child, passenger in second car (Virginia State Police)
The driver of the Charger, identified as 22-year-old Malik Jeremiah Thomas, of Fredericksburg, was uninjured. State troopers said Thomas identified himself at the scene as an active-duty Marine. He was initially arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after testing with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .17, according to Stafford Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Olsen. Three passengers inside Thomas's vehicle sustained minor injuries.
22-year-old Malik Jeremiah Thomas, of Fredericksburg. (Courtesy of Stafford General District Court)
Following evidence collection Friday morning, Olsen announced that prosecutors upgraded the charges against Thomas to two counts of aggravated manslaughter. Each aggravated manslaughter charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison.
Driver faces DUI charges after crash on I-95 in Stafford kills child, passenger in second car (Virginia State Police)
The collision forced the closure of all northbound travel lanes for several hours as emergency crews responded and diverted trapped traffic off the highway. The 95 Express Lanes reopened around 6 a.m., and all regular northbound lanes reopened by 7 a.m., though Stafford County Public Schools reported widespread morning bus delays caused by the highway shutdown.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not publicly released the names of the mother, child, or injured father. Virginia State Police have declined further comment as the crash remains under active investigation.
What's next:
Thomas is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.
The Source: This article was written using information from Stafford Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Olsen, the Virginia State Police, and VDOT Fredericksburg.