Man pleads no contest to manslaughter charge

A Woodbridge man pleaded no contest Monday to involuntary manslaughter in a racing-related crash last year on Interstate 95.

Malcolm Theodore Alexander, 26, entered a no contest plea in the April 11, 2007 wreck that left a truck driver dead. In a no contest plea, the defendant does not admit guilt, but does not dispute the charge.

Prosecutors said Alexander was racing another car on I-95 near Dumfries when the accident occurred.

At least two witnesses saw Alexander's blue Toyota Camry and another silver four-door sedan racing down the northbound side of the highway, shortly before 1:30 p.m. that day, prosecutors said Monday.

Witnesses estimated that the two cars were traveling at more than 90 mph.

The cars darted in and out of traffic several times before Alexander lost control of his blue Toyota Camry near the Va. 234 exit.

Witnesses said that Alexander's car was in the left lane when he swerved hard to the right, striking a tractor-trailer, which had been traveling in the right lane.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Reginald J. Bannister, tried to regain control of his truck after Alexander struck it. He over-corrected and the tractor-trailer flipped, went through a guard rail and hit a tree, Virginia state police said.

Bannister, of Philadelphia, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alexander and a passenger in his car escaped with minor injuries.

Defense attorney Timothy Olmstead said Alexander was traveling on I-95 when traffic came to a sudden stop. He tried to stop, but was unable to do so, so he lost control of his car and hit the tractor-trailer, Olmstead said.

Alexander faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 26.

Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.