Fatal Accident Near Mantua

On the afternoon of September 9, a 13-year-old student at Frost Middle School was tragically killed while riding his bike along Pickett Road. Families in Mantua were shocked and saddened by the news, and several students from Mantua were on buses that passed by the crash site.

Dr. Michelle Reid and School Board Member Karl Frisch were both at the scene of the accident to help families and students who were affected by the crash. In response to a request from MCA, Frisch made sure that all students that witnessed the crash were given special invitations to access mental health resources through FCPS.

MCA had a chance to publicly thank Frisch and Dr. Reid for their efforts at the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, September 15.

The crash follows a series of incidents involving children and cars across the county, according to Fairfax County Public Schools. In late August, an 8-year-old in Mantua was hit by a car at a blind corner at Glenbrook Road and Denise Lane. Luckily, the child suffered no injuries. Responding to MCA requests, county employees were able to cut back foliage that improved visibility for pedestrians and motorists.

In the aftermath of the most recent crash, over a dozen neighbors have reached out to MCA to request additional efforts be made to ensure that our roads are safe for children. In partnership with Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s office, MCA met with VDOT and FCDOT engineers in strategic locations throughout Mantua to identify problem intersections and ask for solutions. We look forward to their feedback soon, and will keep the membership posted on any suggestions from state engineers.

If there is an intersection or a safety concern in Mantua that you would like to discuss, you are always welcome to email president@mantua.org.