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A still from dashcam footage taken by Fairfax Police moments before Trina Jones was allegedly killed (Fairfax County Police Department).
A troubling incident in Virginia has sparked an investigation into the actions of a police officer who reportedly ran over a woman already suffering from a hit-and-run incident. The Fairfax County Police Department has released dashcam footage capturing the events of September 23, when Officer Jalin Phillips allegedly ran over Trina Jones, 62, who had been initially struck by a black Mercedes while crossing an intersection in Hybla Valley.
Responding to the emergency call, Officer Phillips arrived at the scene where Jones was still conscious, according to a report by NBC affiliate WRC in Washington, D.C. Tragically, upon his arrival, Phillips reportedly hit Jones a second time, a fatal mistake, exclaiming in distress, “Please do not tell me I just ran her over.”
Eyewitnesses at the scene had urged Jones to move out of the road following her collision with the Mercedes. However, as Police Chief Kevin Davis disclosed during a press conference, Jones insisted on waiting for the police before moving, despite being conscious. In a bid to protect her from further harm, another driver had positioned his car to create a barrier, shielding her from oncoming traffic.
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.
The dashcam footage reveals the moment this protective driver left the scene just as Officer Phillips’ vehicle approached, leading to the tragic second collision. The incident continues to be under careful review as the community awaits further details from the ongoing investigation.
That driver can be seen on camera driving away as Phillips’ police vehicle approached.
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.