Driver charged in 100 mph Beltway crash that killed teen, grandmother on Christmas

A driver faces a reckless driving charge after police say he was speeding over 100 mph when he slammed into a family on the Beltway in Northern Virginia on Christmas night, killing a 15-year-old and her 75-year-old grandmother.

The Vu family, of Annandale, was headed home from a holiday dinner when a pickup truck driver barreled into the back of their minivan. All six people inside were hurt. The victims were Annie Vu, who was a student at Annandale High School, and Su Nguyen. The rest of the family, including Annie’s 12-year-old brother, survived with injuries.

In an update Thursday, Virginia State Police said they charged Devin Juliana, 48, of Steubenville, Ohio, with reckless driving. Additional charges are possible, pending approval by the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, police said.

Duy Cao, Annie’s mother, was driving the Toyota Sienna on eastbound I-495 near mile marker 49 in Fairfax County at the time of the crash. She was in the center lanes and driving about the speed limit when Juliana’s Dodge Ram crashed into the family, police said.

“The investigation shows the Ram was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles-per-hour,” a statement from police said.

The impact of the crash crushed the minivan’s “rear interior compartment” and pushed the vehicle into the Express lanes, police said.

Juliana and a 43-year-old woman in the truck with him also were taken to a hospital.

Police are trying to find Juliana, serve him a warrant and conduct an interview. The investigation is ongoing.

News4 recently sat down the grieving Vu family.

“I don’t know how to, how to live,” Cao said, sitting alongside her husband.

Annie’s godmother, Kathie Vu, reflected on the profound loss the family has suffered.

“The other day, I heard my brother-in-law say, ‘There will be no more Christmas now.’ They’re always going to come into this time of year thinking about what happened,” she said.

The family told News4 they want to see the driver charged with involuntary manslaughter. They also asked for prayers.

“I want everybody to pray for my mother-in-law and for my daughter so they can, you know, in heaven,” said Annie’s father, An Vu.

The driver of a $300,000 luxury supercar who police say caused a violent crash that injured three people was racing on the Beltway, according to Virginia State Police. Northern Virginia Bureau Reporter Drew Wilder has statements from one of the injured victims.