A still from dashcam footage taken by Fairfax Police moments before Trina Jones was allegedly killed (Fairfax County Police Department).
A Virginia police officer is currently under scrutiny following a tragic incident in which he reportedly drove over a woman who had already been injured in a previous hit-and-run accident. This unsettling event has prompted an investigation by the Fairfax County Police Department.
On the night of September 23, Officer Jalin Phillips responded to an emergency call regarding Trina Jones, a 62-year-old woman who had been struck by a black Mercedes while crossing an intersection in Hybla Valley, Virginia. Dashcam footage from that night, released by the police, captures the moments leading up to the unfortunate event. According to reports from NBC’s Washington, D.C. affiliate, WRC, Jones was still conscious when officers arrived at the scene to assist her.
Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Phillips allegedly ran over Jones a second time, a tragic incident that proved fatal. In shock, Phillips reportedly exclaimed, “Please do not tell me I just ran her over.”
In dashcam footage released by police on Thursday, Jones” form is blurred out as Phillips’ vehicle approaches her. In the video, which was posted to the police department’s YouTube page, the vehicle seemingly slows down as it arrives at the scene but still fails to stop short of Jones, whose form disappears from the frame.
Witnesses at the scene had advised Jones to move out of the road after the initial collision with the Mercedes. However, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis mentioned in a press conference that Jones chose to remain where she was, preferring to wait for police assistance. In an attempt to protect her from further harm, another driver positioned his vehicle as a blockade to shield her from oncoming traffic.
As Phillips approached in his police vehicle, the protective driver moved away, which is visible in the dashcam footage. Chief Davis later clarified that Phillips was traveling at a speed between 14 and 17 miles per hour, emphasizing that there was no evidence to suggest his driving was reckless or excessive.
Davis said that Phillips was driving “between 14 miles per hour and 17 miles per hour,” adding, “There was no indication that his driving was egregious.”
In the YouTube video, police stated that Fairfax Fire and Rescue were on the scene after Phillips’ car made impact with Jones. Despite lifesaving measures from first responders, Jones was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital.
During his press conference, Davis stated that the alleged incident was “traumatic” for Phillips, a two-year veteran of the police department. Davis said, “I don’t want to compare and contrast what the Jones family is going through, because that is certainly something that is devastating to the family. But what the young police officer goes through, it’s equally challenging and traumatic to him as well.”
Police stated that they have located the Mercedes that was allegedly involved in the initial hit-and-run. They have not yet located the driver.
Phillips was placed on restrictive-duty status while police investigate the incident. He has not been charged with any crime.
