Car Crash Kills Man, 32

Richard Walker, 32, of Fair Oaks, was killed last week after his car crashed into a tree on Popes Head Read. The tragedy occurred last Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 1:52 p.m., near the Fairfax County Parkway.

According to Fairfax County police, preliminary investigation indicates that he was driving a 2012 Mercedes sedan westbound on Popes Head Road “at an excessive speed” as he approached a curve. He was unable to negotiate the curve, ran off the road to the right and struck a tree.

Police say Walker was pronounced dead at the hospital that day, shortly after 2:30 p.m. Crash Reconstruction Unit detectives are continuing to investigate the crash; they believe he was not wearing a seat belt.

Fairfax High Homecoming Parade

City of Fairfax police remind residents that Fairfax High’s Homecoming Parade will be this Friday, Oct. 4, and will affect local traffic. The parade will begin at 4:15 p.m. at the Country Club Hills pool, traveling north on Old Lee Highway to Fairfax High off of Rebel Run.

Portions of Old Lee Highway will be shut down from approximately 4-4:45 p.m., so drivers are advised to plan accordingly. Police and volunteers will be positioned along the parade route to help divert traffic from the area.

Fairfax Bat Is Rabid

A City of Fairfax police animal control officer responded last Friday, Sept. 27, to the 3800 block of Fair Oak Circle where a citizen had reported that several juveniles had been seen near a sick or injured bat and possibly could have handled it. The citizen didn’t know whether the juveniles had picked up the bat.

The officer took the animal to a veterinary hospital where it was euthanized. Subsequent testing by the Fairfax County Health Department determined the bat had the rabies virus. It’s therefore essential that the juveniles be identified to determine if post-exposure measures are required.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is urged to call Animal Control Officer Holden at 703-385-7919 or dispatch at 703-385-7924.

To prevent the spread of rabies, citizens are reminded to vaccinate all pet dogs and cats and keep them under control at all times. Both adults and especially children are cautioned against approaching stray dogs or cats or any wildlife, especially foxes and raccoons, and to never handle or touch the animals. Signs in wildlife that might indicate rabies include snarling, growling, hissing or the animal biting itself or approaching people.