Fairfax County Police Department News

Chief  Ed Roessler joined the World Police & Fire Games leadership team in expressing his sincere condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and team mates of Carlos Silva, the Brazilian cyclist who died following a crash earlier today.

Prince William County Police are investigating the tragic crash and distributed the following news release:

“Cycling Event Crash Investigation – On July 2nd at 12:20PM, investigators from the Crash Investigation Unit responded to Prince William Forest Park located in Triangle (22172) to investigate a crash involving multiple bicyclists participating in an event for the 2015 World Police & Fire Games. The investigation revealed that while traveling downhill, one of the bicyclists sustained a front tire blowout. The crash caused a chain reaction collision with other bicyclists. Of those bicyclists, three of the participants sustained severe injuries and were taken to area hospitals for treatment. One of the injured athletes died at the hospital at 5:00 PM today.  The remaining two bicyclists are in critical condition. The incident occurred on a closed cycling course on Scenic Dr. near Turkey Run Rd. along the roadway within the park. All bicyclists were wearing proper safety equipment at the time of the crash.  Members of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue had been standing by at the event and rendered immediate aid.  In addition, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and two off duty Fairfax County police officers watching the event, also supported and provided aid.

Acting Prince William County Police Chief, Major Steve Thompson said, “On behalf of the Prince William County Police Department, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased athlete, Carlos Silva.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the other injured athletes, fellow team mates, and the public safety family throughout the world”.

The deceased participant has been identified as:

Carlos Silva, 48 years old, of Brazil

The injured participants have been identified as: a 44 year old man and a 43 year old man.

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A news conference was held tonight where county leadership, joined by officials from the World Police & Fire Games, issued messages of deep sadness, along with a commitment to continue the events, to care for each other and to continue to honor public safety heroes here and around the world. Chief Roessler concluded, “This has been a horrible loss; we will do everything we can to support our injured colleagues.”

According to World Police & Fire Games personnel, the games will continue tomorrow. For a schedule, see http://fairfax2015.com/