In 2026, there is no excuse for not protecting children in the car. Research shows that car seats and five-point harnesses save lives. As adults, we also need to buckle our seatbelts before we put the car in drive. Not only is it common sense, but it’s also the law. Xiomara Herrera, a 30-year-old mother from Virginia, presumably knew the law but seemingly chose not to follow it.
On May 17, 2026, Herrera allegedly crashed her car while driving at more than 100 miles per hour. The crash killed the mother, her fiancé, Alejandro Rodriguez, and their 2-year-old daughter, Ariana. Tragically, none of them was wearing a seatbelt.
Herrera seemingly lost control of her car.
The crash occurred just before 12:30 a.m. on Chain Bridge Road above Interstate 66 in Fairfax County. During a press briefing, Fairfax County Police Chief Ken Davis said Herrera was driving her Mercedes GLA 250 at 116 miles per hour five seconds before she struck a median and “collided very violently with the bridge wall.”
Davis said she was likely driving even faster at the time of the crash. Herrera died at the scene. Emergency crews rushed Rodriguez, Ariana, and an 8-year-old occupant to an area hospital. Rodriguez and Ariana died a short time later.
Only one person was wearing their seatbelt.
Captain Harold Morris spoke during the news conference and explained that preliminary evidence showed that only the 8-year-old was restrained in the vehicle.
“Virginia Law is very clear. It requires that all drivers and all passengers be restrained in the appropriate seatbelt,” Morris said. “In this case, as the chief mentioned, there were three of the four occupants of this vehicle were not restrained.”
Morris said that the 8-year-old passenger was wearing a seatbelt, but it appeared it was not properly used for the child’s age and weight.
The crash remains under investigation.
Investigators will continue work to find the cause of the crash, including toxicology tests to determine drug or alcohol impairment. In the meantime, the crash victims’ loved ones are raising money for final expenses.
“On behalf of our entire family, we want to sincerely thank every single person who has supported us during this unimaginable time. Your prayers, donations, messages, and acts of kindness have meant more than words can ever express,” Jennifer Quintanilla wrote. “All proceeds will continue to go toward funeral arrangements and helping lay Xiomara Herrera, Alejandro Rodriguez, and now Baby Ariana to rest together.”
Impaired or not, no one should be driving 116 miles per hour, especially not with children in the car. To put their lives at risk that way is so selfish. But to not put them in a proper car seat is truly nonsensical. Little Ariana and the surviving 8-year-old child deserved so much better.
