Fairfax County, Virginia — A Christmas night drive home turned into a devastating tragedy for an Annandale family after a pickup truck traveling at more than 100 miles per hour slammed into their minivan on the Capital Beltway, killing a 15-year-old girl and her 75-year-old grandmother, according to state police.
Authorities say the violent crash unfolded on eastbound I-495 in Northern Virginia and left six family members injured, two of them fatally, marking one of the most heartbreaking traffic deaths in the region during the holiday season.
Family struck while returning from holiday dinner
The victims were identified as Annie Vu, a student at Annandale High School, and her grandmother, Su Nguyen. Both were passengers in a Toyota Sienna driven by Annie’s mother, Duy Cao, as the family returned home from a Christmas dinner.
Virginia State Police say the minivan was traveling in the center lanes near mile marker 49 in Fairfax County when a Dodge Ram pickup truck barreled into the rear of the vehicle at an extreme rate of speed.
“The investigation shows the Ram was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour,” police said in a statement.
The force of the impact crushed the rear interior compartment of the minivan and pushed it into the Express Lanes, investigators confirmed.
Driver charged with reckless driving
In an update released Thursday, the Virginia State Police announced that Devin Juliana, 48, of Steubenville, Ohio, has been charged with reckless driving in connection with the crash.
Police say additional charges are possible, pending review and approval by the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Juliana and a 43-year-old woman riding with him in the pickup truck were also taken to a hospital following the collision.
Investigators say they are still attempting to locate Juliana, serve him with a warrant, and conduct a formal interview as the case remains active.
Six family members injured, two lives lost
All six people inside the Vu family’s minivan were hurt in the crash. Along with the two fatalities, surviving victims include Annie’s parents and her 12-year-old brother, who sustained injuries but survived.
The family, originally from Annandale, now faces a future forever shaped by the tragedy.
“I don’t know how to live,” Cao said quietly while sitting beside her husband in an emotional interview.
Grief deepens as family calls for accountability
Annie’s godmother, Kathie Vu, described the long-term emotional toll the loss will bring to the family, particularly during the holiday season.
“The other day, I heard my brother-in-law say, ‘There will be no more Christmas now,’” she said. “They’re always going to come into this time of year thinking about what happened.”
Family members have publicly stated they want the driver to face involuntary manslaughter charges, arguing that the excessive speed turned the crash into a preventable tragedy.
They are also asking the public for prayers as they grieve.
“I want everybody to pray for my mother-in-law and for my daughter so they can, you know, in heaven,” said Annie’s father, An Vu.
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Investigation continues into deadly crash
State police say crash reconstruction and evidence analysis are ongoing. Investigators are reviewing vehicle data, roadway conditions, and witness accounts to determine whether additional criminal charges are warranted.
Officials have not said whether alcohol, drugs, or other factors played a role in the crash.
Authorities continue to stress that excessive speed remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes, particularly on high-speed highways like the Beltway.
A reminder of the cost of reckless driving
The crash has reignited concerns about aggressive and high-speed driving on I-495, especially during late-night and holiday travel periods.
Safety advocates say tragedies like this highlight the irreversible consequences of reckless behavior behind the wheel.
As the investigation moves forward, the Vu family says their focus remains on honoring Annie and Su Nguyen’s memory — and ensuring accountability.
Do you think penalties for extreme speeding should be harsher on major highways? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
