On March 13, 2026, a Fairfax County judge sentenced Jose Angel Zelaya to 10 years — with seven suspended — for the 2023 crash that killed 17-year-old Rebekah Zarco on Burke Centre Parkway. As a Fairfax car accident attorney firm that has represented injured victims since 1965, Hilton & Somer knows what families are left facing when the criminal system delivers a sentence that feels far too short.
Zelaya was traveling 87 miles per hour in a 40-mph zone when his Cadillac struck Zarco’s Kia as she exited the Burke Centre Shopping Center. Zarco, a recent Robinson Secondary School graduate, was killed at the scene. Her younger brother and two friends survived with serious injuries.
Three years. For a family, a community, and a young life cut short, that number stings.
But for anyone injured by a reckless or speeding driver in Fairfax County, there is something important to understand: the criminal sentence is not the end of the road.
What a Fairfax Car Accident Attorney Can Do for Injured Victims
When a speeding driver crashes into your vehicle, the consequences don’t stop at the scene. Medical bills pile up. You may miss weeks or months of work. You deal with pain, trauma, and uncertainty about your recovery — while insurance adjusters are already working to limit what they pay you.
At Hilton & Somer, our Fairfax car accident attorneys fight to make sure injured victims are fully compensated for everything a reckless driver took from them, including:
- Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages — income you’ve already lost and earning capacity you may lose in the future
- Pain and suffering — the physical pain and emotional trauma that follow a serious crash
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages — when a crash takes a life, surviving family members may be entitled to recover funeral costs, lost financial support, and compensation for their loss. Learn more about wrongful death claims in Virginia.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
After a crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company has one goal: pay as little as possible. They move quickly — gathering statements, reviewing your medical history, and looking for any reason to reduce or deny your claim.
Virginia’s contributory negligence rule makes this especially dangerous. Under Virginia law, if an insurer can show you were even 1% at fault for the crash, you may be entitled to nothing. It is one of the strictest rules in the country, and insurers know how to use it.
That is exactly why having an experienced Fairfax car accident attorney in your corner from the very beginning is so critical. We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on recovering.
What to Do After a Speeding Crash in Northern Virginia
The steps you take immediately after a crash directly affect the outcome of your personal injury claim:
- Call 911 — Always get law enforcement on scene. A police report is essential.
- Seek medical attention right away — Symptoms of traumatic brain injury and internal injuries are often delayed. Documentation starts at the hospital.
- Photograph everything — The scene, both vehicles, road conditions, signage, and your injuries.
- Do not give recorded statements to insurers — Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.
- Call a Fairfax car accident attorney before signing anything — Early settlement offers are almost always far below what your case is truly worth.
Hilton & Somer: Fairfax Car Accident Attorneys Since 1965
Our team knows Northern Virginia roads — from Burke Centre Parkway to the Capital Beltway, I-95, I-66, and I-395. We have spent decades standing up for people who were seriously hurt by reckless drivers, and we know what it takes to get maximum compensation.
Every case we take is handled on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Call (703) 560-0700 today for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William County, Loudoun County, and the entire DMV region. You can also contact us online anytime.
References
- WTOP News — “Speeding driver to serve 3 years for 2023 crash that killed Fairfax County teen” (March 13, 2026): https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2026/03/speeding-driver-to-serve-3-years-for-2023-crash-that-killed-fairfax-county-teen/
- DC News Now — “Driver speed racing causes crash on Burke Center Parkway that killed 17-year-old” (March 13, 2026): https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/virginia/fairfax-county/driver-speed-racing-causes-crash-on-burke-center-parkway-that-killed-17-year-old/
