FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA — A Maryland trash truck driver has been charged with careless driving and infliction of injury or death on a vulnerable road user after striking and killing a 13-year-old boy who was riding a pedal-assist e-bike in a crosswalk on Pickett Road in Fairfax on September 9 — one of three Fairfax County Public Schools students struck by vehicles that same day.
Lawrence Onley, 46, of Fort Washington, Maryland, voluntarily turned himself in and was issued a $1,500 secured bond. He has a pending court date in City of Fairfax General District Court.
City of Fairfax Police Department said the crash occurred in the 3900 block of Pickett Road shortly after school let out. The boy was riding his e-bike on the sidewalk and entered the crosswalk as Onley’s garbage truck was exiting a shopping center onto Pickett Road. Onley had stopped at the exit and was looking to the left as he pulled forward — and struck the teen. The boy was found suffering life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash was initially investigated as a possible hit-and-run. Officers located a truck matching the description nearby shortly after and identified the driver. Information developed during the investigation indicated Onley was unaware the truck had struck the child.
One of Three Students Hit That Day
The fatal crash was one of three separate vehicle-versus-student incidents on September 9, all involving children on bikes or scooters. An 11-year-old girl on an e-scooter was struck near Brookfield Elementary School in Chantilly around 8:18 a.m. She was able to jump off the scooter and was not hurt. Later that afternoon, a 13-year-old on a bike was hit by a car at Toll House Road and Country Lane in Annandale and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid urged drivers, parents, and students to be vigilant before and after school. “Pause and think about the ways that we can each help to keep our students — and each other — safe every day,” she said.
In the days following the crashes, Fairfax County Police launched Operation Safe Right Turn to address an uptick in pedestrian crashes, focusing on drivers who turn right on green lights without checking for crossing pedestrians. The fine for failing to yield to a pedestrian starts at $50.
A parent near Frost Middle School, which is close to the crash scene, said the tragedy has changed how he thinks about his son’s safety. “It’s a great community, but then something like this happens and you just realize how fragile life is.”
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