Driver of truck that killed Arlington mother charged

WASHINGTON — The driver of a truck that killed an Arlington mother as she put her child in a car seat in February has been charged in connection with the crash.

Marvin Valladares, 33, was driving the dumptruck when it struck 39-year-old Jennifer Lawson on Feb. 24. Lawson was putting her 2-year-old daughter into her minivan in front of Nottingham elementary.

Valladares, of Manassas, Va., was issued the summons Friday for failure to pay full time and attention.

Deputy Chief Daniel J. Murray tells WTOP this charge is a traffic infraction “used when the motor vehicle was not completely under control or the driver was not paying full time and attention.”

The investigation showed neither speed, alcohol or other substances were involved with the crash, said Murray.

“The driver was completely cooperative from the first second of this tragic incident.”

The charge was arrived at after discussions with the Commonwealth attorney in addition to the the investigation.

The driver-side rear door of the van was sheared off by the force of the crash. Lawson later died at a hospital. Her child wasn’t hurt.

“This was a terrible tragedy and there certainly are no winners at all involved in this.”

Lawson’s family is aware of the charge, said Murray.

Lawson was married and the mother of three children. Shortly after her death, Trent Livingston, a friend of the family, set-up a fundraising site to “help offset the unforeseen costs of this tragic event.”

He had hoped to raise $5,000 but the donations quickly exceeded $17,000 before the family closed it.

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