In the soft early light of Tuesday morning, just after 5:00 a.m., tragedy struck along one of the busiest highway corridors on the East Coast. Near mile marker 152 on northbound Interstate 95 in Prince William County, Virginia, 27-year-old Karen S. Rosa Hernandez was walking north in the active travel lane of the interstate when she was fatally struck by a 2012 Toyota Corolla.

She was alone. She was unarmed. And, based on the gas can found near her body and the disabled vehicle found parked in the express lanes a short distance away, she was trying to do what countless motorists have done in moments of roadside desperation: get help.

But this time, help never came.

The loss of Karen — a young woman from Dumfries, known to her friends as kind, hardworking, and determined — has left her community reeling and raised pressing questions about pedestrian safety, infrastructure gaps, and the hidden dangers faced by stranded drivers, particularly in pre-dawn hours on high-speed roadways.

A Fatal Chain of Events on I-95

According to the Virginia State Police, the sequence of events that led to Karen’s death began when her vehicle ran out of gas on I-95 northbound. Her car, registered in her name, was later found parked in the express lanes, just south of the point of impact. Rather than calling for roadside assistance or a ride, Karen apparently made the decision to retrieve fuel herself.

She exited her vehicle with a red plastic gas can, attempting to reach a service station by foot — a task made dangerous by I-95’s lack of pedestrian accommodations and high-speed traffic.

The fatal impact occurred at approximately 5:10 a.m. A 2012 Toyota Corolla, traveling in the northbound general-purpose lanes, struck Karen as she walked in or near the rightmost travel lane. The driver of the Corolla remained on scene and cooperated with authorities.

“There’s no indication of impairment or wrongdoing on the part of the driver,” said VSP spokesperson Matthew Demlein. “It was dark, and the pedestrian was in the travel lane of an interstate. The driver was unable to avoid the collision.”

Karen was pronounced dead at the scene. Her injuries were consistent with high-speed trauma, and first responders determined that she had likely died on impact.

The Investigation: Still Active, Still Unfolding

Virginia State Police continue to investigate the incident, piecing together critical details such as:

• Lighting conditions at the time of the crash

• Reflectivity of Karen’s clothing

• Whether she was walking on the shoulder, fog line, or fully in the lane

• Whether the Toyota’s headlights were functioning properly

• And whether traffic camera or dashcam footage exists to further clarify the final moments.

The gas can found near Karen’s body and her car parked in the express lanes strongly suggest that she was seeking fuel. However, investigators are also exploring why she may have chosen to walk, whether her phone was working at the time, and if she had attempted to call for help.

There are no known eyewitnesses, and no public statement has been made by the Corolla’s driver.

VSP has not indicated whether charges are being considered. At this time, authorities have emphasized that the driver remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment.

A Young Life Cut Short

Karen Rosa Hernandez was more than just a name in a traffic report. She was a daughter, a friend, a neighbor, and a determined woman who, despite life’s challenges, kept pushing forward.

Born in El Salvador and raised in Northern Virginia, Karen immigrated to the U.S. with her family as a child. She graduated from Potomac High School in Dumfries and had been working part-time at a retail store while attending Northern Virginia Community College. She aspired to become a nurse.

“She was always looking out for others,” said her younger sister, Rosa. “Always asking if you had enough, if you were okay. That’s just who she was.”

Friends describe Karen as a blend of strength and softness — someone who laughed loudly, cried openly, and never left a group chat unanswered. She loved sunflowers, coffee-flavored ice cream, and salsa music, and spent Sundays visiting her grandmother in Woodbridge.

“She was trying to do everything right,” said her mother, Lorena. “Working, studying, helping out at home. And now she’s gone. Just like that.”

A Community Grieves

The Dumfries community, stunned by the sudden loss, has rallied around the Hernandez family. A memorial has grown at the site of the crash, with flowers, candles, and handwritten messages tucked into the guardrail.

A local church, Iglesia Bautista El Camino, where the family worships, has organized prayer vigils and begun raising funds to cover funeral expenses.

“Karen was one of our brightest,” said Pastor Emilio Lopez. “She was the future. And she died trying to solve a problem — trying to get home.”

The tragedy has also prompted reflection among local residents about the dangers of walking on or near highways — especially in the early morning darkness and especially for those without access to reliable roadside assistance.

“She did what so many people would’ve done,” said family friend Marta Rodriguez. “Her car stopped, and she went to get gas. But the highway isn’t made for people. Not for women. Not at five in the morning.”

A Broader Problem: Pedestrian Deaths on Highways

Karen’s death is part of a larger and growing national crisis. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian deaths on U.S. highways have risen sharply in recent years — with a significant number involving individuals who exited their vehicles due to breakdowns, tire failures, or fuel shortages.

In 2023 alone, over 800 pedestrians were struck and killed on interstates and limited-access highways — a record high. Experts cite several contributing factors:

• Lack of shoulders or sidewalks

• Low visibility and high speeds

• Distracted driving

• Pedestrians not wearing reflective clothing

• Emergency assistance delays

“This is a hidden danger,” said transportation analyst Dr. Jenna Reilly. “People don’t realize how vulnerable they are when they leave their cars on highways — especially at night or in the early morning hours.”

Could This Have Been Prevented?

Karen’s family, while still in shock, has begun asking hard questions: Why did her car run out of gas? Why did she not have access to help? Could signage or barriers have redirected her away from the traffic lanes? And are motorists truly being taught what to do when stranded?

“She didn’t want to die,” said her cousin, Javier Hernandez. “She wanted to live. And she should still be alive.”

Experts suggest that the public needs better education on emergency protocols, including:

• Staying inside a disabled vehicle when safe to do so

• Activating hazard lights and placing flares or triangles if available

• Calling 511 or roadside assistance immediately

• Avoiding all travel on foot along interstates unless directed by law enforcement

In Karen’s case, it remains unclear whether she had a charged phone, had called for help, or simply believed walking for gas was the fastest solution. Family members say she was “resourceful, not reckless.”

“She wouldn’t have done it unless she felt like she had no other choice,” her mother said.

Remembering Karen

Funeral services for Karen Rosa Hernandez will be held this Saturday at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home in Dale City. The family has invited the public to attend and wear sunflower yellow — her favorite color — in her memory.

In honor of Karen’s dreams of becoming a nurse, the family has announced the creation of the Karen Rosa Memorial Scholarship, which will help other first-generation college students pursue careers in healthcare.

A community vigil is also scheduled for Friday evening at Veterans Memorial Park in Woodbridge, where Karen once celebrated her high school graduation. Candles will be lit, and messages of remembrance will be read in English and Spanish.

“She was too good for this world,” said her sister Rosa. “But maybe now we can make it better — for the next woman stuck on the side of the road. For the next daughter trying to get home.”