In Loving Memory of 19-Year-Old Jose Rivera Quintana of Bristow

Teen Killed in Fiery Crash on I‑66 Identified as 19‑Year‑Old Jose Daniel Rivera Quintana

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Authorities have confirmed the identity of the victim who died in a fiery collision on Interstate 66 eastbound on February 28, 2026, as Jose Daniel Rivera Quintana, 19, of Bristow, Virginia, the Virginia State Police announced Monday.

Crash Details

The deadly incident occurred at approximately 3:10 p.m. on a busy Saturday afternoon on I‑66 eastbound, near the rest area about 0.3 miles west of Bull Run Drive in Prince William County.

According to state police, a 2013 Toyota Corolla driven by Rivera Quintana was traveling at a high rate of speed when the vehicle **entered the Interstate rest area and struck the rear of a legally parked 2024 Kenworth 310 tractor‑trailer.

The impact caused the Corolla to burst into flames, engulfing the vehicle in a fireball that claimed the young man’s life almost immediately. Rivera Quintana was pronounced dead at the scene at around 3:21 p.m., according to the State Police update.

Victim and Circumstances

Investigators say that Rivera Quintana was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, and preliminary findings so far do not indicate alcohol as a contributing factor to the collision.

Virginia State Police noted that the driver of the parked tractor‑trailer, who had been resting inside the truck’s cab at the time, was not injured.

Investigation Underway

Early statements from troopers suggest that the Toyota’s driver failed to maintain control of his vehicle, which led to the violent impact with the truck. However, officials cautioned that the investigation remains active, and additional details are expected to be released as forensic analysis continues.

State police routinely urge motorists throughout Virginia to observe safe speeds and exercise caution, particularly on high‑speed interstates where sudden changes in traffic or roadside hazards can quickly turn deadly.

Community Reaction

News of the crash and the identity of the young man killed has touched the Bristow community and the wider Prince William County area, as residents grapple with the tragedy of a life lost and a family left to mourn. Local officials and residents have not yet issued public statements, but friends and neighbors expressed shock and sadness as details of the incident spread.