Teen killed in Old Bridge crash
Shelby B. Nicholson
Published: January 7, 2009
Updated: January 8, 2009
A 16-year-old Woodbridge High School student was killed and three others injured Wednesday in a crash that shut down Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge for three hours.
Police said Shelby B. Nicholson of Wainscott Place in Lake Ridge was pronounced dead at the scene.
One person was taken to the hospital in critical condition, while two others suffered injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening.
The crash happened between Old Bridge and Forest Hill roads just after 4:30 p.m.
Police said the 16-year-old driver of a 2005 Chevy Aveo was traveling west on Old Bridge Road when she lost control, crossed the median and struck a 2005 Lincoln Navigator SUV.
Some of the people involved in the crash were trapped in their cars and one of the vehicles caught fire, a fire and rescue spokesman said.
Nicholson was in the passenger seat of the Aveo.
The 22-year-old driver of the Lincoln Navigator and a 51-year-old woman in the passenger’s seat were taken to the hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening.
Police shut down eastbound lanes of Old Bridge Road for more than three hours after the crash. Major arteries in the area, such as Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway, backed up for miles.
Motorists eastbound on Old Bridge Road were forced to make a U-turn on Oakwood Drive during the investigation. Police asked motorists to avoid the area if they could.
The crash happened between the two intersections, where the road slopes down a hill into a stream bed.
The crash was the second accident in the area of Old Bridge Road and Colby Drive in less than 24 hours.
No charges have been filed and police are investigating the accident.
Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.
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Reader Reactions
Ok. Like was said before, So many accidents have happened there, and 1 was a teen. I am praying for both families and for Natty, because she is loved, and were waiting for her return. RIP Shelby. That is a bad area, and the good thing is they have finally decided to finally fix it.
I understand that everyone wants to show compassion to the families of all that are involved and not just the family who lost their loved one and thats normal but about the problem after the compassion fades away. I survived a similar crash in 2003 on Old Bridge where a Ford explorer crossed over the median near Occaquan Rd. She lost control coming down the hill and slid over the median and hit my PT cruiser on the driver side. Police stated she was going 45mph + in a 35mph zone. To this day I still feel the effects of that accident, so pardon my coldness but I can’t really show compassion to a bad driver, inexperienced or not which caused a tragedy. I’m sorry that because of her lack of experience she caused the death of her friend and the pain of two strangers. I feel for everyone involved and their families but more so for the people who were doing nothing wrong but driving normally and now their lives are changed as well. What’s scary is that there are more young drivers out there just like the one involved and it’s just a matter of time before another fatal accident occurs. Wait, the girl from Nokesville just passed away… the compassion starts all over again but the problem still exists.
On March 6, 2006 my kids were hit by a teenager that was in a hurry to get to a sporting event at the high school. Please please kids slow down. Just by the grace of god they recovered from their injuries. I think as parents we must encourage safety in driving with our children. We all need to take a part. The government cannot fix this.
I will agree with you as far as the local police needing to patrol Old Bridge more for speeders as I have seen people driving WAY faster than they should, all up and down Old Bridge and not just in the school zone. And unfortunately due to Natalie’s inexperience (and I have yet to read that she was actually speeding, so I’m not sure that that was the case) as a young driver and one who probably had no idea how to try to control her car in bad weather (IF it was possible to control), a life was taken and there were serious injuries. What all of us are trying to do here is, show these families that there is an outpour of support and deep sadness that we as parents can’t imagine, unless we’ve been through it, what its like to lose a child or have one seriously injured in a car wreck. Of course someone has to take responsibility for this tragic event and do you not think that she will have to live with this for the rest of her life? I can assure you, her life will never be the same! So, my comment to you is, you and all of us can have our opinions about what happened, etc., but the bottom line is, a child was taken from her family way too early and another is seriously injured and their parents & families need all the love and support they can possibly get right now. Their lives may have been normal until last Wednesday night, now their lives will never be the same! Just have a little compassion, thats all!
I disagree with most of these comments about not caring about blame or responsiblity. You have 3 people who’s lives have changed forever and 1 that’s been cut short because of an inexperienced driver who (I’m going on a hunch) because of the severity of the accident, was speeding. Old Bridge to most residents is a 4 lane highway which they think is 55mph, when it’s actually 45mph. In the mornings by the high school, drivers speed through the 25mph school zone. There is no police presence at all and until the PWC police start patroling Old Bridge for speeders more fatal accidents will occur.
I am the nurse that was driving home and stopped when I saw the accident and ran over to help. There was also a military Dr. that ran over with me.. I called 911 and we did all we could to help the girls. My prayers are with both families. I was heartbroken.
IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS….IVE WORKED IN AUTOBODY HARD HIT SHOPS ALL MY LIFE AND WE WOULD SEE THESE CARS WITH 5MPH HITS AND THEY WOULD JUST ABOUT TOTAL OUT.
SEE WHAT RECYCLED AMERICAN BEERCAN SHEETMETAL DOES IN AN ACCIDENT? GET A BIGGER VEHICLE WITH MORE THAN A 1 STAR CRASH RATING LIKE THAT CHEVY.
I am a mother of one of Shelbys close friends. For two days know my home has been filled with very upset and grieving youngmen. No one knows the pain these young people are in and no one can imagine the great pain of all the families involved. My heart and prayers go out to all of Shelbys family and also Natalies. I know no words can comfort them nor can I express my sorrow as a motherenough. I have tried to be there and talk with some of her friends the best I could. Have faith and know she is in a much better place. For those who have negative comments about the accident all I can say is how dare you. No one knows what will happen today to any of us and unfortuniately accidents happen. It is Gods will to take us and it is not our right to blame his will. I pray your family is never put in such a tragedy and I hope you have a heart worth saving. In times like these people need to be supportive, loving, kind and respectful. I hope Shelbys and Natalies families find comfort in all the prayers and support they have and pay no attention to ignorant people.
Our prayers are with all of Shelby’s family. I am sitting here in tears, and feel your pain. I have a 15 year old and worry about him driving when his time comes. I think I’ll wait.
There is nothing worse than losing a child, words cannot explain. Please know that we are all grieving with you, we really are. Stay strong, God Bless you all.
You never think about stuff like this untill it hits close to home, this was a friend of mines daughter that was killed.
The speed is 35 on old Bridge, no one ever does the speed limit and it can be intimidating for drivers that do the speed limit and get bugged by pushy drivers.
That night was a bad night for driving and REALLY people (According to the DMV Manual) are supposed to drive at least 5 miles slower than the posted speed limit in wet conditions.
So don’t blame it on the road, if all drivers were doing 25Mph that night this would have never happened period.
Remember speed limit less 5 miles per hour city and 10 highway in poor driving conditions.
The more people play by the rules the more lives are saved.
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