Man pleads guilty in crash that killed 8-year-old

A 22-year-old Linden man pleaded guilty Tuesday in a May 2008 crash that killed an 8-year-old Warrenton boy.

Police say Rodney Aaron Martin, of 915 Fire Trail Road, was driving the 1998 Toyota Tacoma that rear ended a 2004 Honda Odyssey van stopped in the left turn lane on Lee Highway at Somerset Crossing Drive in Gainesville about 5:45 a.m. on May 11, police said.

The wreck took the life of Joshua Adams, an 8-year-old Warrenton boy, who was lying on the backseat of the Honda when Martin crashed into it.

The boy was not wearing a seat belt and flew forward into the center console of the van during the crash. He died later at Inova Fairfax Hospital of head injuries.

County police Officer Patrick Sundby testified at Tuesday’s plea hearing in Prince William Circuit Court that Martin was drunk when the crash happened.

Sundby said Martin’s blood alcohol content was 0.14 when he was tested at the hospital about two hours after the accident.

Martin also tested positive for cocaine, Sundby testified.

A witness told Sundby that she had seen the Tacoma weaving from one side of the road to the other and narrowly miss another car on northbound Lee Highway just before the accident.

The witness estimated that Martin was driving about 70 mph just before his truck hit the Odyssey, Sundby said.

The posted speed limit on Lee Highway is 55 mph.

Martin, who pleaded guilty to aggravated involuntary manslaughter, faces 20 years in prison.

He is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

Manassas Bureau Chief Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.