1-year-old Virginia girl killed in Prince George’s Co. crash after Amber Alert, police chase

Jack Moore | jmoore@wtop.com
August 15, 2024, 1:35 PM


The crash happened on the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County, Maryland, near Branch Avenue. (Courtesy 7News)

A 1-year-old Virginia girl is dead after police say her father kidnapped her and her two young siblings, sparking an Amber Alert and a police chase that ended in a crash in Prince George’s County, Maryland. ... The girl and her two brothers, 5 and 7, were taken by their father — 36-year-old Dana Plummer — from a residence on Jay Are Court in Virginia Beach on Wednesday night after stabbing a woman and girl inside, police in Virginia Beach said. Both stabbing victims were taken to the hospital and listed in stable condition.

The abduction sparked an Amber Alert about 2 a.m., and authorities said the three young children were believed to be in extreme danger. ... About 8:45 a.m. Thursday, a citizen tip led to Virginia State Police troopers spotting Plummer’s 2024 Honda Passport SUV traveling northbound on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County.

The driver refused to stop for troopers, leading to a police chase that continued north on the Capital Beltway into Prince George’s County in Maryland before the SUV crashed near Branch Avenue, police said. ... The 1-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital where she died from her injuries. The condition of the other two children is not known. ... Plummer was apprehended at the scene.

“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones who are grieving this morning,” said Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate in a statement. “This is an unimaginable tragedy, and on behalf of the VBPD, I extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by this loss.” ... Maryland State Police were expected to provide more details about the crash later.

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Jack Moore
Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.
jmoore@wtop.com