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Trooper J.D. Warren of the state Highway Patrol said he also charged 69-year-old Luther Schriefer, of Falls Church, with a lane violation.
The accident occurred around 3:45 p.m. in the northbound lane of the interstate near the 172 mile-marker.
Schriefer was driving a 2003 Acura and his wife, Sandra, was a passenger. The accident occurred when Schriefer ran off the right shoulder of the roadway and struck the back chassis of a camper trailer pulled by a truck that was parked on the shoulder.
Warren said the driver swerved to miss the trailer but the car's right passenger side struck it. Mrs. Schriefer sustained serious head trauma in the accident and died. Her husband escaped with only bruises.
The driver of the truck pulling the camper had pulled to the shoulder waiting for someone to catch up, Warren said.
The trooper said he did not believe heavy winds played a factor in the crash. The estimated speed of Schriefer's vehicle was 70 mph on impact. Warren said the misdemeanor death by motor vehicle charge reflects inattention on the driver's part. He said it was difficult to determine whether the man fell asleep. Alcohol was not a factor. “Basically, it comes down to he was the one at fault and it resulted in her death.”
Schriefer's first court date is June 11.
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