Alexandria, Virginia — A 16-year-old girl who survived a devastating crash involving a stolen car spent about two weeks in the hospital before being reunited with her family, who reportedly did not know where she was, according to police and media reports.
The teenager, identified by authorities as “Marta” to protect her identity, was the only survivor of the September 28 crash that killed three other teenagers in Virginia. Her injuries were reportedly life-threatening, and she continues to recover.
According to Virginia State Police, the crash happened shortly after midnight after troopers spotted a stolen vehicle traveling on Interstate 395. The driver lost control while attempting to escape police, and the vehicle struck a Jersey barrier.
What Happened Before the Fatal Virginia Crash?
The crash involved four teenagers, including Marta and three boys aged 16, 16 and 17. All four were reportedly not wearing seat belts.
According to reporting by WRC, the teenager’s family spent approximately two weeks without knowing where she was before she was reunited with them.
Marta’s sister told the Spanish-language news station Telemundo that their mother had given Marta permission to leave their Maryland home and spend time with friends on the night before the crash.
Her sister also said Marta did not know the vehicle was stolen when she got inside.
The circumstances surrounding the teenagers’ activities before the crash remain part of the broader account of the incident. However, the available reports indicate that Marta was a passenger and was unaware of the vehicle’s reported stolen status.
Teen Reportedly Asked to Be Taken Home
In an interview with Telemundo, Marta’s sister described a phone call she received from her younger sister less than an hour before the crash. According to the sister, Marta used the driver’s phone to contact her family.
The sister said the situation became increasingly frightening as the ride continued.
“I remember she told them to take her home already, but they said they were going to go do other things and then they would bring her back here,” the sister told Telemundo.
She also described Marta’s reaction as the vehicle continued moving.
“That’s when the officer recognized them and started following them. She says she grabbed onto the seat and kept telling them to stop, that she wanted to get out, because she felt something was wrong, that something was going to happen to her.”
The account offers a glimpse into the passenger’s reported experience in the moments before the fatal crash. Her sister’s statements were reported by Telemundo and have not been independently established in every detail by the information available in the police account.
Police Chase Ended in a Deadly Collision
Virginia State Police said troopers recognized the vehicle as stolen and attempted to stop it.
The driver reportedly refused to stop, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit along Interstate 395. During the incident, the driver attempted to turn onto an exit ramp but was traveling too fast and lost control.
The vehicle struck a Jersey barrier, killing three of the four teenagers inside.
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The 17-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The two 16-year-old boys died after being taken to a hospital, according to the reported details.
Police said one of the 16-year-old boys had been driving the vehicle and did not have a driver’s license. Marta survived the collision but sustained injuries described in reports as life-threatening. She remained hospitalized for weeks as she recovered.
Why Did Her Family Not Know Where She Was?
One of the most troubling aspects of the case is the reported gap between the crash and Marta’s reunion with her family.
Her family spent about two weeks not knowing where she was. The available information does not fully explain why the family was unaware of her location during that period or detail all the circumstances surrounding communication with relatives.
Her sister’s account suggests the family had been in contact with Marta shortly before the crash, making the subsequent uncertainty particularly distressing.
The reported reunion eventually brought the injured teenager back together with her family as she continued recovering.
Investigation and Recovery Continue
The crash left three families mourning the deaths of teenagers and another family facing the difficult aftermath of a serious collision.
The case also highlights the dangers associated with stolen vehicles, high-speed police pursuits and riding without seat belts. The precise legal consequences for those involved depend on the findings of investigators and any subsequent proceedings.
Marta’s recovery remains a central concern for her family. Authorities and media reports have not provided a complete medical update on her current condition.
What are your thoughts on this tragic crash and the family’s two-week period of uncertainty? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
