Winchester Teen Charged with Second-Degree Murder After Fatal Train Collision

Taken into Custody in Connection with Fauquier County Train Crash.

In a grim culmination of investigations surrounding a deadly train collision earlier this month in Fauquier County, Virginia State Police have now arrested and charged Jeremiah A.T. Greenfield, a 19-year-old from Winchester, VA.

The accident, which transpired in the early hours of August 2, 2023, witnessed a ghastly collision between a Honda Accord and a Norfolk Southern train at the junction of Route 17 (Winchester Rd) and Route 712 (Delaplane Grade). Reports indicate that the Honda, driven by Greenfield, approached a congested railroad crossing and, in an attempt to overtake the halted traffic, recklessly crossed the centerline, circumventing the lowered railroad crossing arms. This hasty and ill-fated decision led to the car’s direct collision with the oncoming train.

Greenfield, despite not wearing a seatbelt, miraculously survived the crash with severe but non-critical injuries and received immediate medical attention at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. Tragically, Haidan B. Smallwood, an 18-year-old passenger from Berryville, VA, was not as fortunate. Also, without a seatbelt, she suffered fatal injuries from the impact and passed away after being flown to the same hospital. The other passenger, Nakii Russell, 20, of Leesburg, VA, incurred minor injuries and was promptly taken to Winchester Medical Center for treatment. Shockingly, further investigations revealed that the Honda Accord was reported stolen from Winchester.

Jeremiah A.T. Greenfield – charged with one felony count each of 2nd-degree murder: homicide and eluding law enforcement. 

On Friday, August 25, 2023, officers of the Winchester Police Department, acting on the evidence and ongoing investigations, apprehended Greenfield without any disturbances on the 1650 block of S Braddock Street in Winchester. He has been charged with one felony count each of 2nd-degree murder: homicide and eluding law enforcement. Currently, Greenfield is being held without bond at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the train’s occupants. As the details of this tragic incident continue to unfold, charges and further developments remain anticipated as Virginia State Police delve deeper into their investigations.

Updated: Tragedy Strikes in Fauquier County: Investigation Launched into Fatal Train Crash