Man Charged 5 Months After Fatal Sterling Crash: Police

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A Maryland man has been charged in connection with a crash on Route 7 that left one person dead earlier this year.

One person, 23-year-old Orlando Rodriguez, died at the scene of the crash on April 2, 2022.

After an investigation, authorities arrested Rogel Hernandez-Reyes, a 27-year-old man from Maryland. He is charged with one count of aggravated involuntary manslaughter and one count of driving while intoxicated.

If convicted, Hernandez-Reyes could face more than 20 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines. He is currently being held in Maryland pending extradition to Virginia.

The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday, April 2 on Route 7 in Sterling. Police said a 2020 Nissan Kicks was driving near Bartholomew Road when the driver swerved to avoid a slower vehicle.

The driver lost control, and the SUV left the road and rolled over several times, according to the police report.

Rodriguez died at the scene, and three other people in the SUV were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The sheriff's office said the people in the SUV refused to tell investigators who was driving at the time of the crash.

Loudoun County's Crash Investigation Unit eventually determined that Hernandez-Reyes was the driver. Authorities obtained warrants for his arrest on Wednesday, and he was taken into custody on Friday.

Resources are available for people who are struggling with addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline that can help people find resources and get the help they need.