30°
Yeraldin Pardo, 28, of Lincolnia, was on the elevated tracks at Accotink Park Road in Springfield with her 8-year-old son and 28-year-old Diego Arriaza, of Annandale, around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, county police said.
The freight train struck Arriaza, while Pardo and the boy, identified in a GoFundMe campaign as Eli, fell from the bridge, police said. All three victims were declared dead at the scene.
Arriaza and Pardo appear to have been friends.
Detectives do not believe that speed or alcohol were factors in the crash for the train engineer. Detectives continue to investigate if alcohol was a factor in the crash for the pedestrians.
According to the GoFundMe, Eli was a standout player on the ASA U9 Red team playing as both an attacking wing and "unstoppable" goalie.
"Yeraldin, his kind and loving mom, was there by his side to support him at every game - loudly cheering every tackle, goal, and save," the campaign says.
"Eli was a soccer fanatic and an absolute joy to watch on the field, always smiling, uplifting, and supporting his teammates. But even more than his accomplishments on the field, we will remember Eli for who he was off the field.
"Eli had a larger than life personality with a terrific sense of humor, and a smile that could light up the room. He was truly a light in this world and we will all miss him terribly both on and off the field."
A vigil was held for all three on Thursday, June 6.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the FCPD's Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Aldie and receive free news updates.
