Karen S. Rosa Hernandez Obituary, Death News – A woman lost her life early Tuesday morning after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 95 in Virginia. Authorities believe the tragic incident occurred after the woman ran out of gas and was walking to get fuel when she was hit.
According to Virginia State Police, the collision happened shortly after 5 a.m. on northbound I-95 near mile marker 152 in Prince William County. A 2012 Toyota Corolla was traveling north when it struck a pedestrian who was in the roadway. The driver was reportedly unable to avoid the woman, who was walking in the active travel lane at the time of the incident.
The pedestrian has been identified as Karen S. Rosa Hernandez, a resident of Dumfries. She was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of her injuries.
A Virginia State Police spokesperson, Matthew Demlein, confirmed that a gas can was found near the crash site, supporting the belief that Hernandez had been attempting to get gas for her vehicle. A disabled car registered to her was discovered just south of the crash location, parked in the express lanes.
At this time, investigators have not released further information about the circumstances surrounding the accident, including whether poor visibility, lighting conditions, or speed may have been contributing factors. It is also not known if the driver of the Toyota Corolla will face any charges, though officials have not indicated any signs of impairment or wrongdoing by the motorist.
The crash remains under active investigation by Virginia State Police. Authorities are continuing to gather evidence and examine the events leading up to the fatal collision. No witnesses have been identified so far, and police have not stated whether traffic cameras or dashcam footage might assist in the investigation.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on high-speed roadways like I-95, particularly during early morning hours when visibility is limited and traffic is moving quickly. Drivers often do not expect to encounter pedestrians on interstates, making it difficult to react in time to avoid collisions.
Karen Rosa Hernandez’s death has shaken the local Dumfries community, where residents are mourning the loss of the woman whose morning trip to retrieve fuel ended in tragedy. No details about funeral services or public memorials have been released at this time.
Authorities are urging drivers and pedestrians alike to exercise caution and remain aware of their surroundings in all travel situations. Police are also reminding motorists to call for assistance rather than attempt to walk along highways, as such areas pose extreme risks to pedestrians.
Further updates are expected as the investigation continues and more details become available.