Julio Carlos Merino, Man Killed In Tragic Pedestrian Fatality at Woodbridge Intersection
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – A 70-year-old man died after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday evening at the busy intersection of Richmond Highway and Opitz Boulevard.
According to Prince William County police, the pedestrian, identified as Julio Carlos Cruz Merino of Woodbridge, was walking in the roadway across Richmond Highway when he was hit by a southbound 2025 Toyota Camry just before 7:00 p.m.
“At the time of the crash, the pedestrian was not in a designated crosswalk or safe crossing area,” said Police Sgt. Erin Noble in an official news release. The investigation indicates Merino was attempting to cross the multi-lane highway outside of a marked crossing zone.
Emergency personnel transported Merino to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Toyota, a 19-year-old Woodbridge man, remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. He was not physically injured.
Police confirmed that speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors on the part of the driver. The crash remains under investigation as officers work to determine the full sequence of events. This incident marks the county’s third fatal crash of the year and serves as a somber reminder for both drivers and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution, especially when navigating high-traffic corridors after dark.
