7/24/23 Trial of Usman Shahid -- driver who killed two Oakton teens

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There will be evidence that this kid has driven his car to and from school.which shows the parents we're aware. They all need to rot in jail. I can't fathom the grief the families of the deceased are going thru. It hurts to think about the entitlement this family felt and how the young girls and their families are paying for it. The boy and his parents need to go to jail for a very long time. This is so unbelievable and they should never have another joyful.day.

1000% entitlement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There will be evidence that this kid has driven his car to and from school.which shows the parents we're aware. They all need to rot in jail. I can't fathom the grief the families of the deceased are going thru. It hurts to think about the entitlement this family felt and how the young girls and their families are paying for it. The boy and his parents need to go to jail for a very long time. This is so unbelievable and they should never have another joyful.day.

Don’t get your hopes up. Shahid probably will get 4-8 years. His parents likely won’t be charged; not worth the effort when the max sentence would be under 12 months. Best case scenario for the victims’ families is if they can prevail against the parents in a civil suit and recover some amount of damages, perhaps inflicting financial ruin on the Shahids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a lot if kids without a license at 18 where the parents buy them a BMW. If they are waiting that long it usually means they either don't need a car very often or are a bit immature.

Remember, he was graduating just a few days later. So, the car was probably a grad present. Of course, that doesn't mean you get to drive it, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LICENSE! But, maybe it's different in his home country?!

Just a few weeks ago, on a Thursday afternoon around 2:30 pm, I was making a random trip to Wegmans in Fairfax. The van in front of me drove STRAIGHT THROUGH a 4-way stop. The van ended up driving into the Wegman's parking garage, and since I was going there too, I went up to the driver and said, "ma'am, I'm not sure if you realize you drove through a 4-way stop." (I've seen other people miss the stop signs at this intersection before. I assume they miss them because it is a super WIDE intersection with no stop light... just 4 stop signs.) At first the woman denied it "no I didn't." And I said, "yes, you did." Then she defiantly asked "where?" And I explained it was a couple of blocks before the turn into Wegmans. And then she said that it didn't matter and it's perfectly fine to do so! And then she told me it's not my business. ANd I was like -- YES it IS my business because you are going to hit someone.

She was a middle-aged lady. Probably from Ghana or Nigeria.

Point being that there are people driving on these streets who come from cultures/countries where it may be their habit to drive as though the rules are more "suggestion" than actual RULE. It's not an excuse. But when a middle age women driving a VAN (not a BMW) admits that she intentionally drove through a 4 way stop -- well, it's just so out of my way of living -- that it shocks me to be on the same roads as people like that!

Seems like more reason to set the record straight then on what the rules are.

I mean --- a FOUR WAY STOP Sign does tell you what the rules are.

Also, a speed limit sign that says 35 mph gives you a pretty good idea of what the safe/allowable speeds are.

Stop signs with a white border are optional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a lot if kids without a license at 18 where the parents buy them a BMW. If they are waiting that long it usually means they either don't need a car very often or are a bit immature.

Remember, he was graduating just a few days later. So, the car was probably a grad present. Of course, that doesn't mean you get to drive it, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LICENSE! But, maybe it's different in his home country?!

Just a few weeks ago, on a Thursday afternoon around 2:30 pm, I was making a random trip to Wegmans in Fairfax. The van in front of me drove STRAIGHT THROUGH a 4-way stop. The van ended up driving into the Wegman's parking garage, and since I was going there too, I went up to the driver and said, "ma'am, I'm not sure if you realize you drove through a 4-way stop." (I've seen other people miss the stop signs at this intersection before. I assume they miss them because it is a super WIDE intersection with no stop light... just 4 stop signs.) At first the woman denied it "no I didn't." And I said, "yes, you did." Then she defiantly asked "where?" And I explained it was a couple of blocks before the turn into Wegmans. And then she said that it didn't matter and it's perfectly fine to do so! And then she told me it's not my business. ANd I was like -- YES it IS my business because you are going to hit someone.

She was a middle-aged lady. Probably from Ghana or Nigeria.

Point being that there are people driving on these streets who come from cultures/countries where it may be their habit to drive as though the rules are more "suggestion" than actual RULE. It's not an excuse. But when a middle age women driving a VAN (not a BMW) admits that she intentionally drove through a 4 way stop -- well, it's just so out of my way of living -- that it shocks me to be on the same roads as people like that!

Seems like more reason to set the record straight then on what the rules are.

I mean --- a FOUR WAY STOP Sign does tell you what the rules are.

Also, a speed limit sign that says 35 mph gives you a pretty good idea of what the safe/allowable speeds are.

Stop signs with a white border are optional.

OMG.... a FOOL shows up again. Let me guess, you're the one who thinks Shahid accidently hit the gas, right?

Either you are trying to mess with people, or you are actually too stupid to be driving anywhere.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/dmv39c.pdf

[Anonymous]

https://thenewswheel.com/are-stop-signs-with-white-borders-optional/

Don't spread lies -- people can die.

As with every long-standing practice, the traditions and rules around driving have been evolving for decades. Alongside those traditions are often myths and urban legends, dating back to unknown origin, including this gem.

Rumor has it that if you come to a “Stop” sign that has a white border around the edge, you don’t actually have to stop. It’s simply recommended. Well, the truth is, nearly every single stop sign has a white border around the edge — are you trying to tell us all stop signs are considered “optional”?

Nah. We’d like to set the records straight.

Family-Friendly SUVs: Check out the new 2018 Buick Enclave

Stop signs are stop signs, regardless of whether or not they have a white border. Anything you’ve heard to the contrary is either rumor or a joke someone else is getting a good laugh out of. If an officer pulls you over for running a stop sign, arguing that there was a “white border around the edge so it’s optional” isn’t gonna fly.

It’s unclear how rumors like these get started. It’s likely that the whole shtick started as a joke in driver’s ed that someone took a little too seriously, snowballing into a deep-seated myth of the road. Pro tip: if you see a stop sign, come to a full and complete stop in order to avoid red and blue lights followed by a lovely ticket.

For those wondering, optional stop signs do exist — they’re called “Yield” signs. The real secret, though, is that the word “gullible” isn’t even in the dictionary. Weird, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a lot if kids without a license at 18 where the parents buy them a BMW. If they are waiting that long it usually means they either don't need a car very often or are a bit immature.

Remember, he was graduating just a few days later. So, the car was probably a grad present. Of course, that doesn't mean you get to drive it, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LICENSE! But, maybe it's different in his home country?!

Just a few weeks ago, on a Thursday afternoon around 2:30 pm, I was making a random trip to Wegmans in Fairfax. The van in front of me drove STRAIGHT THROUGH a 4-way stop. The van ended up driving into the Wegman's parking garage, and since I was going there too, I went up to the driver and said, "ma'am, I'm not sure if you realize you drove through a 4-way stop." (I've seen other people miss the stop signs at this intersection before. I assume they miss them because it is a super WIDE intersection with no stop light... just 4 stop signs.) At first the woman denied it "no I didn't." And I said, "yes, you did." Then she defiantly asked "where?" And I explained it was a couple of blocks before the turn into Wegmans. And then she said that it didn't matter and it's perfectly fine to do so! And then she told me it's not my business. ANd I was like -- YES it IS my business because you are going to hit someone.

She was a middle-aged lady. Probably from Ghana or Nigeria.

Point being that there are people driving on these streets who come from cultures/countries where it may be their habit to drive as though the rules are more "suggestion" than actual RULE. It's not an excuse. But when a middle age women driving a VAN (not a BMW) admits that she intentionally drove through a 4 way stop -- well, it's just so out of my way of living -- that it shocks me to be on the same roads as people like that!

Seems like more reason to set the record straight then on what the rules are.

I mean --- a FOUR WAY STOP Sign does tell you what the rules are.

Also, a speed limit sign that says 35 mph gives you a pretty good idea of what the safe/allowable speeds are.

Stop signs with a white border are optional.

OMG.... a FOOL shows up again. Let me guess, you're the one who thinks Shahid accidently hit the gas, right?

Either you are trying to mess with people, or you are actually too stupid to be driving anywhere.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/dmv39c.pdf

SARCASM!!!

[Anonymous]

I hope they are financially ruined in the civil trial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“ Related, tonight between 6:00 and 6:15 pm, there was another major accident at the same intersection-- Blake Lane and Five Oaks.Half the fire department is there, looks like they're doing a fatal accident investigation.”

This is from Reddit. That intersection is hugely problematic.

Between his mental health issues, confusing the brake and gas pedals as a new driver, and an illegal left turn, now a road design issue.

There is ZERO -- ZERO -- evidence that he "mistook" the gas pedal for the brake pedal.
There was no "illegal left turn."
There is no "road design issue." People have accidents. People in this area are not very good drivers. You have no idea what caused the alleged accident today. We DO know what caused the "accident" in 2022.... an unlicensed teen driver, unlawfully speeding over twice the speed limit, unlawfully carrying two other teens in the car. That is what caused the deaths and injuries.

See the video around 1:24 https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/defense-rests-in-oakton-fatal-crash-case/3598460/

You can see how far that BMW traveled FAR beyond the impact with the SUV. He not only hit the SUV and killed three teen girls, he also took out a thick utility pole and STILL Continued to advance down the road!

That particular stretch is a known problem in Oakton. Residents have been trying for a long time to fix it.

[Anonymous]

“Since 2017, there have been 11 crashes — not including the fatal crash last week — at the intersection of Blake Lane and Five Oaks Road, according to Fairfax County Police Department. Four of the crashes resulted in injuries.“

https://www.ffxnow.com/2022/06/14/traffic-safety-along-blake-lane-in-oakton-has-been-a-community-concern/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Since 2017, there have been 11 crashes — not including the fatal crash last week — at the intersection of Blake Lane and Five Oaks Road, according to Fairfax County Police Department. Four of the crashes resulted in injuries.“

https://www.ffxnow.com/2022/06/14/traffic-safety-along-blake-lane-in-oakton-has-been-a-community-concern/

Well...if you actually read the article and LOOK AT THE DIAGRAM where each accident occurred, only ONE of those accidents was in the intersection (Blak and Five Oaks). The rest of the accidents were either before or after the intersection in either the northbound or southbound lanes. That would be a rear-ending type of accident, a lane-change accident, or possible a pedestrian/car accident in the road or crosswalk.

You have to read/analyze more thoroughly than just repeating a headline.

Your big message that the intersection has a design flaw or is dangerous is not supported by the facts nor the diagram. The most that can be said about the 11 accidents over 5 years is that the happened ON Blake Ln in the vicinity of Five Oaks. Rear-endings at a multi-lane stop sign do not mean that the intersection is dangerous for turning traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Since 2017, there have been 11 crashes — not including the fatal crash last week — at the intersection of Blake Lane and Five Oaks Road, according to Fairfax County Police Department. Four of the crashes resulted in injuries.“

https://www.ffxnow.com/2022/06/14/traffic-safety-along-blake-lane-in-oakton-has-been-a-community-concern/

Well...if you actually read the article and LOOK AT THE DIAGRAM where each accident occurred, only ONE of those accidents was in the intersection (Blak and Five Oaks). The rest of the accidents were either before or after the intersection in either the northbound or southbound lanes. That would be a rear-ending type of accident, a lane-change accident, or possible a pedestrian/car accident in the road or crosswalk.

You have to read/analyze more thoroughly than just repeating a headline.

Your big message that the intersection has a design flaw or is dangerous is not supported by the facts nor the diagram. The most that can be said about the 11 accidents over 5 years is that the happened ON Blake Ln in the vicinity of Five Oaks. Rear-endings at a multi-lane stop sign do not mean that the intersection is dangerous for turning traffic.

It does if poor visibility is what is leading to the rear-endings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“ Related, tonight between 6:00 and 6:15 pm, there was another major accident at the same intersection-- Blake Lane and Five Oaks.Half the fire department is there, looks like they're doing a fatal accident investigation.”

This is from Reddit. That intersection is hugely problematic.

The entire road is problematic. Too many people use it as a cut through to 66 west and 123 west. The road bends and turns. And there is a lot of housing density, and people walking to/fro all along Blake.

I must have just missed that accident dropping DC at baseball. On the way there we saw a handful of kids crossing from Oakton HS, young guys walking home after sports practices, I remarked to my DC (ES student) that would be him one day soon.

The road needs way more traffic lights. It would be a hassle for drivers but would definitely slow traffic. Maybe enough so as to make people who don’t need to use it, pick 66, 50 or Lee Hwy instead.

[Anonymous]

There is a lot they can do with the crosswalks if it's the same as what is on Google. First, Five Oaks doesn't need its own turning lane onto it. Second, the ramps can be separated and crosswalks striped better. This is the most obvious issue. Doesn't even meet ADA. Third the crosswalks can have islands so you only have to cross one way of traffic. Fourth the sidewalk and ramps can be separated so the ramp is not part of the sidewalk.

[Anonymous]

They can also stop all traffic and allow time for pedestrians to cross all at once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So interesting to see how many people on this thread are out for the defendants blood for this crime, and are ready to throw him in jail for 20+ years. But other non-POC defendants who have committed similar or worse crimes, they aren’t so passionate and are ready to play the “mental health” card.

Yes - Any time there is a POC defendant! And now they want the parents charged