A judge denied bail Monday to an active-duty Marine charged after a mother and her young child died in a high-speed crash on I-95 in Stafford County, Virginia, early Friday. The Marine was driving drunk, authorities say.
The mother and daughter, who was under age 5, died after the crash on northbound I-95 near mile marker 141, Virginia State Police said. The driver of a Dodge Charger slammed into the back of the family’s Nissan Rogue. The woman’s husband was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Malik Thomas, 25, was speeding more than 100 mph at the time of the 2 a.m. crash, a lawyer for the commonwealth said in court Monday. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 – more than twice the legal limit, according to state police.
Thomas appeared in court virtually, from inside the Rappahannock Regional Jail. He asked for bail but the judge refused.
News4 reached out to people who say they’re relatives of the victims. They said they’re too devastated to speak on camera. Family members have posted tributes online, and it appears that memorial services will be held this week.
The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed Thomas’ active-duty status. They said they’re aware of the crash and deferred questions to investigators.
Thomas was charged with aggravated manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. He said he plans to hire an attorney. He’s due back in court Thursday and is scheduled to have an initial hearing in February.
