18-year-old charged in deadly Woodbridge collision after going twice the speed limit, police say
The Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) said 18-year-old Wania Mussarat Shaikh was driving more than double the speed limit during the May 27 collision.
The crash happened at around 11 a.m. in the intersection of Minnieville Road and Summit School Road — which was also an active work zone at the time.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman dies in two-vehicle collision in Woodbridge, police say
Shaikh reportedly drove her 2021 Toyota Highlander into the intersection against a red light before she struck a 2020 Honda, police said.
The Honda's driver, 45-year-old Seema Rizvi, was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died.
Shaikh was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter on June 10.
She was held without bond.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Newsweek
ICE Detains Woman in US for 17 Years Since Age 7 After Traffic Stop
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Giovanna Hernandez-Martinez, a 24-year-old Leeds, Alabama, resident and community advocate, was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after a traffic stop by local police on the highway. ICE records reviewed by Newsweek show that she is being held at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana. Why it Matters Hernandez-Martinez has been described by friends and family as a counselor and organizer who worked with immigrant youth. She arrived in the United States at age 7 and was raised in Alabama, ultimately graduating as valedictorian of her high school class and later earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work. She has her own LLC and also works at Birmingham-based ¡HICA!, a nonprofit that advocates for immigrant families, according to her brother, Dilan Hernandez, who spoke to The Trump administration continues to strongly enforce its immigration-based agenda, which it has touted due to large-scale decreases in illegal migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border since President Donald Trump came into office. The administration has faced pushback from portions of Americans who have questioned the tactics and end goals of such policies, including detaining and in some instances deporting non-violent and non-criminal immigrants. Giovanna Hernandez-Martinez, a 24-year-old Leeds, Alabama, resident and community advocate, was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after a traffic stop by local police on the highway. Giovanna Hernandez-Martinez, a 24-year-old Leeds, Alabama, resident and community advocate, was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after a traffic stop by local police on the highway. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images/ What To Know Leeds Police, in an August 8 Facebook post that includes dash cam footage, said that an officer in an unmarked vehicle observed a "young lady, who only possessed a Mexico-Issued Identification," who "was traveling at least up to 91 mph as recorded on the dash in and out of traffic and following too close." "Also, the windows are darkly tinted on the Honda that she was driving," the post says. "We have a duty to protect the public and must stop individuals who are recklessly driving on our streets and highways. We would not have stopped her or had any idea of our immigration status if she would have been operating her vehicle safely." Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin issued a statement last Thursday claiming Hernandez-Martinez's vehicle "came within feet of striking other vehicles and erratically changed lanes." Authorities said Hernandez-Martinez produced a Mexican identification card when asked for a driver's license, prompting federal immigration agents to arrive at the scene and take her into custody. Newsweek reached out Irwin and the department via email for comment. Irwin's recounting of events has been disputed by Hernandez-Martinez's family members, as well as Facebook users who commented on the police department's post and attached dash cam footage. "On the dash cam it was obvious that wasn't the case at all," her brother, Dilan Hernandez, told "My sister was speeding a little bit, but we feel that, under the circumstances, it wasn't fair at all." Facebook user Emily Barfield commented the following under the video: "This is exactly the video I was expecting. Where's the erratic driving? Where did she almost hit multiple vehicles? I see her switching lanes, with a blinker, to get over when you're pulling her over. Yes, oh so erratic." Newsweek reached out to Dilan via a GoFundMe contact form. Petitions And Fundraisers A petition "demanding the Release of Giovanna Hernandez" was started one week ago. As of Wednesday afternoon, it received more than 17,000 signatures. "Gio has no criminal record," the petition reads. "She has spent years working toward lawful permanent residency but, like many others, has faced systemic barriers and even been scammed during the process. Her detainment is not only legally questionable—it is morally wrong. "This is personal for us. Giovanna is not just a name. She is our friend, colleague, mentor, and inspiration. She represents everything we want in a citizen: integrity, compassion, hard work, and a deep love for her community. 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All of our family is here, all of her siblings, she has built her education here, she has all of her friends here." Dilan Hernandez on his sister's GoFundMe page: "Not only is she an impeccable woman with a strong moral character, but she is also a distinguished professional. ... She takes pride in advocating for her community, and those without a voice. Now, its our turn to use our voices to fight for her and defend her." Carlos E. Alemán, CEO of ¡HICA!, in an August 7 statement calling for Hernandez-Martinez's release: "Giovanna is not only a trusted community partner, she is a role model. She brings purpose and heart to everything she does. Her contributions have touched families and young people throughout Alabama, and her detention is a painful loss for the entire community." What Happens Next Hernandez-Martinez is scheduled to appear in court on August 20, when her legal team and family are expected to seek bond. ICE custody and detention decisions and the court process will determine whether she remains detained or is released pending proceedings.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Yahoo
Men accused of staging phony car crashes for insurance payouts: Queens DA
Editor's note: The video above aired in a previous newscast. QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – Two Brooklyn men are accused of deliberately causing three car collisions, including a Belt Parkway crash that was caught on camera, and then seeking insurance payouts. Prosecutors alleged that 53-year-old Jaime Huiracocha allegedly planned the crashes and lured people to participate with the promises of cash payouts, while 34-year-old Victor Murillo was accused of driving the car used in the collisions. More Local News Huiracocha allegedly met with a group inside an East New York medical clinic and instructed them on how to stage a car crash on Oct. 16, 2024, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors alleged that the participants were then told to send photos of the collision to a woman. The group then met up near the Belt Parkway, with a silver Honda Civic and a red Kia Sport in tow, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors alleged that the participants were told by Huiracocha what vehicles to sit in and the drivers were given headphones to communicate with one another. Murillo was asked to drive the Honda Civic, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors alleged that the other participants were given a black plastic tarp and told to cover the back window after the crash so Murillo could swap seats with a passenger without being seen. All of the cars then got on the Belt Parkway around 11 a.m. and the group allegedly picked out Asphia Natasha's vehicle for the staged collision, according to prosecutors. What they didn't know, prosecutors alleged, was that Natasha's vehicle had both front and rear dashboard cameras. The Honda Civic would then cut in front of Natasha, forcing her to stop short, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said the Honda then backed up into Natasha's car. Passengers in the Honda then held up the plastic tarp on the back window and Murillo and someone else in the car allegedly swapped seats, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors alleged that four people got out of the Honda, including a woman who exited the driver's seat and a man who identified himself as Maikel Martinez. Martinez claimed that the woman was his wife, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors alleged that the Kia, which was following Natasha's car, pulled up to the crash. Murillo is accused of getting out of the Honda and into the Kia, which then fled the scene, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors alleged that Huiracocha and Murillo staged two other crashes that happened before the Belt Parkway collision on Oct. 3 and Aug. 24. Allstate Insurance Company said it paid out more than $82,000 for injury claims relating to those two crashes, and that it received a claim for damages to the Honda for the Oct. 16 collision. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Martinez was charged back in November and his case is pending, according to prosecutors. Huiracocha and Murillo were arraigned Wednesday on charges including insurance fraud, staging a motor vehicle accident, criminal mischief, conspiracy, reckless endangerment, grand larceny and attempted grand larceny. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Hamilton Spectator
30-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Suspect in death of retired St. Catharines firefighter arrested
A man wanted in the death of an 82-year-old St. Catharines man who was struck by his own vehicle at a park in Lincoln has been arrested. Niagara Regional Police said Wednesday that Davy Rocchetti is in custody, facing a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Larry Pearce. Rocchetti, 50, of no fixed address, was arrested Tuesday at about 7:30 p.m. outside the region by NRP detectives with the assistance of Peel Regional Police and Toronto Police. Pearce, a retired St. Catharines firefighter, leaves behind his spouse, two children and grandchildren. Police said Pearce arrived at Charles Daley Park in Lincoln on Thursday, July 17, at 9 a.m. and stayed for about 40 minutes. As he was leaving in his grey Honda CRV, he stopped near the park's front entrance and got out. Police said at that point, a man entered the vehicle and took the wheel. Police said Pearce stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to prevent the man from fleeing. During the confrontation, Pearce fell to the ground and the man drove away, leaving Pearce in critical condition. Pearce died from his injuries in hospital the next day. By Sunday, July 20, police had identified a suspect and released a photo. They later obtained a Canada-wide warrant for Rocchetti's arrest. On Thursday, July 24, Pearce's Honda was found in flames in Mississauga. Police said the vehicle was intentionally set on fire by a lone individual seen walking away from the area. After the arrest Tuesday, Rocchetti was returned to Niagara and was scheduled to appear for a bail hearing in St. Catharines Wednesday. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
