Detectives report a driver later returned after a man was found in the median near Old Plains Road.
FAIR OAKS, Va. — Fairfax County detectives said Wednesday that preliminary evidence indicates a pedestrian was struck on Fairfax County Parkway near Old Plains Road, a day after an adult man was discovered dead in the median. Investigators said a motorist believed to be involved later returned to the scene while crash reconstruction officers processed the roadway.
The update shifts the inquiry from a general death investigation to a likely traffic fatality with key questions still open, including how the impact occurred and whether criminal charges are warranted. The man, described as about 50 with no fixed address, was found shortly before 9:45 a.m. Tuesday between Rugby Road and Old Plains Road, prompting rolling lane closures through the afternoon. Police said they are working with the medical examiner to confirm identity and determine cause and manner of death. Detectives are examining debris patterns, possible vehicle damage and any available video to finalize a timeline.
Crash Reconstruction Unit personnel laid out a grid of evidence markers from the inside lanes across the center grass strip while patrol officers diverted traffic around the site. Investigators said they believe the impact occurred in the travel lanes adjacent to the median and that the man came to rest on the grass. A spokesperson said the driver who returned cooperated with officers at the scene. Detectives still urged anyone who traveled the corridor between 8:30 and 10 a.m. Tuesday to share dashcam footage that might show the moments before the collision.
Officials said the roadway segment carries fast-moving commuter traffic and few pedestrian amenities, with long gaps between crosswalks and limited lighting under winter skies. The section sits near Inova Fair Oaks Hospital and residential neighborhoods that back up to the parkway. Officers canvassed nearby parking lots and business driveways for cameras facing the road and checked for recent calls regarding a person walking along the shoulder. Investigators would not disclose details about injuries, saying that information will be part of the medical examiner’s report and any charging documents, if filed. No citations or charges had been announced as of Thursday morning.
The parkway, a limited-access route linking western Fairfax communities, has seen periodic serious crashes and pedestrian strikes, including several closures this year for reconstruction investigations. In similar cases, detectives reconstruct speed, sight distance and driver reaction time using skid lengths, vehicle control modules and roadway geometry. Authorities said they will apply those methods here, along with toxicology results for both parties if applicable, to determine whether impairment, distraction or visibility played a role. The update that a driver returned does not, by itself, resolve whether the initial departure from the area meets the legal definition of leaving the scene, investigators said.
Next steps include confirming the man’s identity through fingerprints and notifying relatives, a process that can take days when a person lacks identification. If prosecutors determine the facts support charges, the case would be filed in Fairfax County General District Court, with an initial appearance to follow. In the meantime, the police department plans to release an information bulletin summarizing the time, location and vehicle description if additional witnesses are needed. Traffic investigators said they expect to complete the on-scene portion of their work but will continue analysis off-site, including downloading any electronic data from the vehicle involved.
Drivers moving through the corridor on Wednesday reported fewer delays as all lanes reopened after the evidence survey. A hospital employee said patrol cars were still visible along the shoulder in the morning, and a commuter described seeing a “long row of yellow markers” across the median the day before. “It’s a sobering stretch to drive,” the commuter said. Another resident who lives off Rugby Road said the sound of helicopters and sirens Tuesday underscored how quickly the closure built.
As of Thursday, investigators had not publicly released the man’s name or the make and model of the vehicle believed to be involved. The next milestone is the medical examiner’s preliminary ruling and any announcement from police on potential charges or a public appeal for more witnesses.
Author note: Last updated December 25, 2025.