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
I must agree…...anyone personally involved with Shelby and Natalie and their families needs all the love and support they can possibly get right now. Nothing anyone says or does at this point will bring this young beautiful child back to her family. Both families are grieving in ways that we as parents, will never understand if we haven’t had a child seriously injured or worse yet, killed in a tragic way. Stop with the “blame” and embrace these families as they endure some of the worst pain a parent can feel.
I am a cousin of Shelby’s and I want to write on behalf of her father’s side of the family. I personally did not see Shelby as much as I should have but my heart hurts for the loss. I have fond memories of her as a baby and will always cherish those memories. Our hearts go out to her mother, Stacy and everyone that was close to her.
One thing Shelby and I will always have in common is the love of our grandmother, “Mam-maw”. She has nothing but love in her heart and now a piece of her heart as been taken away…
We will love you forever Shelby. RIP
Thank you everyone for your kind words.
The Nicholson’s,
Cindy, Keith, Jeff and Stacee
Judge784, I am sure you are grieving, but that is a terrible remark you made. Surely, no parents should be made to feel guilty for the choice of vehicle. It is a terrible thing to lose a child.
Perhaps you could ask the site administrator to remove your remarks and write something more appropriate that shows your sympathy for Shelby’s family.
I am sorry for all Shelby’s friends and family.
I loved Shelby and I am heartbroken.
WHY would parents give their child such a TINY car to drive??? Shelby would most likely be alive if they were in anything of substance…those cars are nothing but tuna fish cans! Don’t tell me you can’t afford a bigger one, they sell bigger used cars every day for the same or less money!
Update: Viewing is this saturday 2-4 and 7-9 Eulogy sunday 3pm Location: 4143 Dale Blvd., Dale City, Virginia 22193 ph. (703)680-1234 We have family from all over attending and ive not been told it isnt open to the public, So i assume all is welcome to come pay their respects. Our family thanks everyone for there prayers and support. Thank you all.
I am sorry to all those who were family or friends of this young women. It is easy and clear to see that she will be missed.
Some of you reading this might not know the road which is being talked about. First, lets just get it right, the speed limit is posted as 35 not 45 in that area. Not many people do 35 but it is posted. I know this because due to some teens having nothing better to do with their lives they made it look like 85. I always remember its 35. The road is very twisty and its at the bottom of a hill so all the water runs to the bottom of it. I have traveled the road for 4 years now, I have seen a car spilt in half by a gaurd rail, I have seen cars down the cliff on the west bound side, I have seen cars spin around, and I have seen cars do just as what happened here. Guess what! Only one was a teen driver.
So do us all a favor and the parents and family of this young women, back off her driving. It could have happened to anyone of us, 16 and up. No one is a perfect driver and there are days when the teens drive better then the “grown ups.“
In fact, I knew an officer who died on that road in the rain also. He lost control of his POV and hit another car. So it can happen to anyone at any time.
Again, to the family, friends, and WSHS student body I wish you the best. It will not be easy, death never is but there is something to be learned from this. Its up to you to figure out what lesson is learned. Im not talking about the driving lesson either.
Take care and stay strong.
I am responding to the young man who asked Shelby’s brother about students being able to attend the viewing. I am a close neighbor and friend of the family. Although I’ve not yet met Shelby’s brother I believe he is coming from another state so is probably traveling. The family fully expects her friends from WSHS to be there and are prepared for a large crowd for the viewing and funeral. It is very important for her friends to do so to obtain closure and say goodbye to Shelby. Mountcastle Funeral Home in Dale City is providing the visitation and funeral services on the weekend but all of the info will be be in the obituary most likely published in tomorrow’s News and Messenger and having a teenage duaghter at WSHS I know the info is on Face Book and other networking sites. If you don’t have access to these sites you cold probably find info on the Mountcastle Website tomorrow or here on-line on the papers on-line newspaper. The school library should have the newspaper as well. You sound like a very kind young man.
i personally dont know shelby and natalie but my prayers go out to both of their families. What happened to shelby and natalie was about to be me and my friend and my sister, and god sister. my friend was driving and i was in the passengers seat we were going down oldbridge and in the same spot my friend lost control of her car and we went spun around and went over the median into on comming traffic. i was facing oncomming traffic lke shelby was only we would have been hit my a mustang but she saw us spinning and go over the median and hit the breaks just in time. that road right there is extremly dangerous and it should not take something as tragic as this to happen for someone to do anything about it. they need to straighten out that road and save lives.
RIP Shelby and our prayers are with you natalie
—>A WSHS Student.
Hello, I am a student from WSHS, and this comment is to Shelby’s brother; I would like to know if students are allowed to come to the viewing and/or funeral to pay respects to our friend.
Thank you, and may God Bless your family and Natalies’.
“Earth has no sorry that Heaven cannot heal”. Those are the words in a favorite hymn. To the families of Natalie and Shelby, God bless and keep you in your time of need. May He show you untold grace and mercy to handle Natalie’s recovery and Shelby’s passing from this life. Lean on God, family and friends during these trying times. God Bless.
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