Dale City driver faces manslaughter charge

By Amanda Stewart

Published: September 5, 2008

The driver in a July fatal car accident in Lake Ridge is now facing an involuntary manslaughter charge.

A grand jury this week directly indicted Devon Marshall Thomas, 19, of 13408 Hillendale Drive in Dale City, on charges of involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence and driving without a license, according to court records.

Thomas was initially charged with driving under the influence, unreasonable refusal of a breathalyzer test and driv-ing without a license for the July 6 car accident that killed 19-year-old Mohammad Q. Abdur-Rehman.

According to police, Thomas was driving in the 12700 block of Old Bridge Road around 10 p.m. on July 6 when his 2005 Mitsubishi Galant drifted across the double yellow line. He over-corrected and hit a tree on the northbound side of Old Bridge Lane.

Abdur-Rehman, one of the car's passengers, was flown to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, Prince William County police said at the time.

Another passenger, a 19-year-old Woodbridge man, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Marshall's trial date has not yet been set. If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.