BREAKING NEWS — Paramedic Falls into Four Mile Run From I-395
Update at 7:30 p.m. on 2/9/12 — The victim, paramedic Joshua Weissman, has succumbed to his injuries.
(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) An Alexandria paramedic fell about 30 feet from I-395 into Four Mile Run while responding to a call near Shirlington tonight.
Just before 6:30 p.m. emergency crews were called to I-395 near Shirlington Circle for two separate incidents: a three-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes and a vehicle fire in the HOV lanes, according to Virginia State Police
An Alexandria paramedic responding to the call stopped in the northbound lanes, alongside the HOV lanes, in an effort to reach the burning vehicle. We’re told the paramedic somehow fell through a small gap between the guardrails, between the northbound lanes and the HOV lanes, and landed in the creek. The gap is visible in the photos above.
The medic has been identified by police as 33-year-old Joshua Weissman, a seven year veteran.
Rescuers from Arlington and Alexandria were able to reach Weissman and extricate him from the water. CPR was performed, according to fire radio traffic. He was taken downstream to S. Cleveland Street and then transported via ambulance to Washington Hospital Center with what Thiel described as critical injuries. Authorities initially wanted to airlift the Weissman to the hospital, but were not able to due to the rainy weather, we’re told.
The northbound HOV lanes of I-395 were shut down for an extended period of time during and after the incident. As of 10:30 p.m., three lanes of northbound I-395 remained closed and traffic before the scene was still heavy.
The vehicle fire, meanwhile severely snarled traffic on southbound I-395 during the latter part of the evening rush hour. All HOV lanes were closed for at least a half hour during the fire response.
As of Thursday afternoon, Weissman was still in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Virginia State Police say they’re continuing to investigate the accident.
Photo (above, right) via Google Maps
Plan: Affordable Apartments Would Replace Gas Station
The Shell station at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Greenbrier Street would be replaced by affordable housing under a development plan that’s currently seeking sources of funding.
The plan, from Arlington-based affordable housing developer AHC Inc., would replace the gas station with a six-story, 83-unit apartment building for lower-income tenants.
According to slides from a recent AHC presentation to the Columbia Heights West Civic Association, the building will consist of 15 one-bedroom apartments and 68 two-bedroom apartments. Residency would be reserved for those making below 50 to 60 percent Area Median Income (AMI). The building is also expected to have 6,700 square feet of retail space and a “high-level of energy efficiency.”
The development would be located next to an existing AHC property: the 116-unit Harvey Hall apartment building at 860 S. Greenbrier Street. AHC owns 22 apartment communities in Arlington.
Over the next month or so, AHC will be applying for project funding through Arlington County’s affordable housing investment fund and through federal low income housing tax credits. AHC is pursuing the development via Form Based Code, which does not require County Board approval. Last night the Columbia Pike Form Based Code Advisory Working Group held a meeting to review the project.
By replacing the gas station, AHC says the building will enhance “a site that is underdeveloped and a visual detriment to the neighborhood.” If funding is secured, and if no significant environmental contaminants are found on the site, AHC hopes to begin construction in March 2013 and finish construction in the fall of 2014.
Images via AHC Inc.
Crime Report: Witness Punched, Drug Suspect Tased
This week’s Arlington County crime report contained a number of notable items. Among them:
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, a suspect tried to flee after police found 32 grams of crack cocaine during a traffic stop on S. Glebe Road. Police used a Taser to help stop the suspect, identified by police as 41-year-old Deron Brown of Washington, D.C. Brown was charged with possession with the intent to distribute.
POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (COCAINE), 02/07/12, 1200 block of S. Glebe Road. During a traffic stop at 2:30 pm on February 7, officers located approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine, a scale, six cell phones, numerous baggies and cash on a subject. When the subject resisted commands from officers and attempted to flee the scene on foot, he was tased. The subject was arrested and charged with transporting in excess of 28 grams of crack cocaine into the commonwealth, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and obstruction of justice. The subject has a past criminal history to include murder and armed robbery.
On Monday, Feb. 6, three juvenile suspects snatched the cell phone of a man at Pentagon City mall and tried to flee to the nearby Metro station. A witness, however, was able to apprehend one of the suspects — and was punched in the face during the apprehension.
ROBBERY, 02/06/12, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. On February 6 at 1:50 pm, two juvenile males distracted a man in the food court of Pentagon City Mall, while a third juvenile subject grabbed the victims iPhone. All three suspects ran towards the Metro escalator. A witness was able to apprehend one of the suspects and was punched in the face as a result. Mall security held the suspect in custody until police arrived. The apprehended suspect provided police information on his two accomplices.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, a “known gang affiliate” was stabbed in the abdomen after leaving a soccer game at Gunston Middle School.
MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 02/01/12, 1400 block of S. 28th Street. Arlington County officers were dispatched to INOVA Alexandria Hospital in reference to a victim that was stabbed in the abdomen. Shortly before 4 pm on February 1, the male victim and known gang affiliate, had left a soccer game at Gunston Middle School and was stabbed by an unknown subject. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’3” tall with a skinny build. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a black Northface jacket, black fleece pants, black Nike boots and a black baseball hat.
The rest of this week’s crime report, after the jump.
County Road Crews Prepare for Snowy Commute
With snow expected during tonight’s evening commute, Arlington County road crews have been placed on alert and are poised to treat roads when the white stuff starts falling.
Crews are also pre-treating roads with salt and brine this afternoon in preparation for the winter weather, according to the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services.
The Office of Personnel Management announced this morning that federal employees may use unscheduled leave to go home early today, if desired.
File photo
Cannon Firing Drills Scheduled for Next Week
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, is planning to conduct two cannon firing drills next week.
The drills are scheduled to take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 and Friday, Feb. 17. They will be conducted on the northern portion of Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, according to base spokesman Stephen Satkowski.
The drills involve firing blanks from the Presidential Salute Battery’s anti-tank guns. Nearby residents may hear the boom of cannon fire during the drills, as they did on several occasions last year.
Next week’s drills are being described as rehearsals in preparation for the Presidential Salute Battery’s participation in the Presidents’ Day ceremonies at Mount Vernon on Feb. 20. Residents may call the Old Guard’s public affairs office at 703-696-4183 for more information.
Rosslyn Station Project Hits Half-Way Point
The Rosslyn Metrorail Station entrance project has crossed the half-way point.
Blasting for the project is now complete, officials say, having resulted in the excavation of more than 11,000 cubic yards of rock over the past 10 months.
The $32.6 million project will add a new entrance to the Rosslyn Metro station, featuring three high-speed elevators and an emergency staircase, but no escalators. The project cost includes the construction of new fare collection and vending equipment, as well as a new kiosk and a new entrance mezzanine.
The entrance will be able to serve up to 2,000 riders per hour. Local leaders have said that they hope the entrance will help keep pace with the station’s soaring ridership, which has increased 23 percent in the past decade and is expected to increase even more with new office and residential development in the area.
The project, which is now 53 percent complete, is on time and on budget, according to the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services. Construction is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2013.
Chipotle Coming to Pentagon City Food Court
A new Chipotle location is coming to the Pentagon City mall food court, according to a construction barrier that replaced what was formerly a cheesesteak restaurant.
When Chipotle opens for business — no word yet on an expected opening date — it will open directly next to a Taco Bell.
It will also face competition from the currently under-construction Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, which is opening in nearby Pentagon Row, and from the sit-down Chevys Fresh Mex, located across the street at the Pentagon Centre shopping center.
Photo courtesy @RahulG86
Morning Notes
Snowy Evening Commute Expected — Forecasters warn that light-to-moderate snowfall may make for a slick evening commute tonight. Still, above-freezing temperatures will mean that we in Arlington will likely see less than an inch of accumulation. [Capital Weather Gang]
County Saves Money Through Bond Issue — Arlington County has taken advantage of very low interest rates, along with its triple-AAA bond rating, to issue $106 million of refunding bonds. The move will save the county more than $9 million over the life of the bonds, officials say. [Arlington County]
Spring Soccer Registration Open — Registration is now open for youth soccer players in Arlington. Arlington Soccer Association’s spring registration started on Jan. 25 and will close on March 13. A late registration fee will be assessed after March 13. [Arlington Soccer Association]
Moran Criticized for TV Appearance — Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) is facing criticism from Republicans for comments he made on MSNBC last week. Moran said that Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), who is black, “is not representative of the African American community.” Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin called that remark and others by Moran during the course of the MSNBC interview “racist.” [Human Events, Breitbart.tv]
