Police are reporting an alcohol-related driving fatality that took the life of a grandmother and her 2-year-old grandson in Manassas, Virginia, overnight.
A family was traveling in a Saturn Ion on Route 234 near University Boulevard. It was struck from behind by a larger Ford Explorer, forcing the vehicle off the road and into a large rock. Both passengers in the accident perished.
The 43-year-old driver of the Saturn was critically injured and is being treated for those injuries. The 60-year-old grandmother, Rebecca Sacras, and 2-year-old Jonathan Wade-Ortiz were killed in the accident. Sacras was in the passenger seat, and Jonathan was in the back seat properly restrained in a child seat, according to police.
Also in the car was the driver's 12-year-old nephew. He was secured in the backseat and suffered minor injuries.
The driver of the Explorer, identified as William John Mallory, has been charged with DUI. He is being held without the option of bond until a court date is set. As the investigation develops, charges against the accused man may increase.
There were other passengers in Mallory's car as well. These 3 passengers suffered minor injuries but none were severely or critically injured.
Typically, police must determine whether Mallory's intoxication lead to the accident or if there were other causes. If he was breaking additional traffic laws, such as speeding, the sentencing may increase. For now, the charges are left as a misdemeanor. When a child is injured as the result of a DUI, however, the charges will typically increase and longer, tougher sentencing will be imposed.
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