Arrest in Fatal Shuttle Bus Wreck; 9 Ejected from Vehicle

Virginia State Police officers have arrested a driver accused of causing a shuttle bus wreck early Sunday morning. The crash left one dead and injured the 16 other people on the bus.

The fatal victim in the bus crash was identified as David Alberto Sanchez, 24, of Woodbridge. One other passenger on the bus is being treated for life-threatening injuries, according to state police spokesperson Corinne Geller.

Two others, including the bus driver, suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The 13 other passengers suffered minor injuries.

Raphael Manuel Barrientos, 31, of Dumfries, is charged with one felony count of hit-and-run. Additional charges are pending consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

At 3:28 a.m. Sunday, Virginia State Police were called to the scene in the southbound lanes of I-95, just south of Exit 163 for Lorton.

Witnesses told police an America Transportation shuttle bus was traveling south on I-95 when a speeding white two-door Acura believed to be driven by Barrientos swerved and hit the shuttle bus, said Geller. 

The driver of the shuttle bus lost control and the bus swerved off the right side of the road, hit a guardrail and overturned. The Acura reportedly fled the scene.

State police discovered the car at Barrientos' residence in Dumfries in the 16,000 block of Gentle Wood Lane and Barrientos was taken into custody without incident. 

According to police, the bus driver was transporting a group of 16, all Prince William County residents in their early 20s, from a birthday party in Washington, D.C. Nine of the passengers were ejected from the bus in the wreck.