A toddler died and two siblings were hurt after their father abducted them from Virginia Beach, Virginia, late Wednesday, fled from police and flipped an SUV on the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County, Maryland, on Thursday morning, authorities say.
Virginia State Police issued an Amber Alert early Thursday after Dana Plummer, 36, of Virginia Beach, stabbed a woman and a child and then fled with his 7-year-old son, 5-year-old son and 16-month-old daughter.
Virginia State Police chased Plummer after attempting a traffic stop in Fairfax County, police said.
The crash occurred on the Outer Loop of Interstate 495 at the Branch Avenue ramp at about 9:05 a.m., the county’s fire department said.
Chopper4 video shows a black SUV with serious damage to the front end, with the airbags deployed.
All three children were hurt, and the toddler died of her injuries at a hospital, Virginia Beach police said.
Zariyah Plummer was just 16 months old.
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones who are grieving this morning,” Police Chief Paul Neudigate said 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.”
The other two children were taken via ambulance to the hospital, where they are in stable condition, Maryland State Police said during a press conference.
Plummer was also injured, and also taken to the hospital, where he remains in police custody.
Plummer was charged with aggravated malicious wounding, parental abduction, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and domestic assault, Virginia Beach police said. It wasn't immediately clear if he has a lawyer.
Plummer has not yet been charged in Maryland, pending the results of the ongoing investigation. Because the toddler died after the crash, which took place in Maryland, any charges related to that death will come from Maryland, Major Adam Stachurski of the Maryland State Police said.
The charges in the case are complicated by the fact that it crossed state lines.
A chase that began in Fairfax County ended in a Maryland crash
Virginia State Police tried to stop Plummer at about 8:45 a.m. in Fairfax County on I-95 near the 166 mile marker, state police said.
"A citizen recognized the vehicle from the Amber Alert and notified local law enforcement," Virginia Beach police said.
Plummer refused to stop and a chase began. He headed north onto the Beltway and into Maryland, taking the Branch Avenue exit off of I-495, where he lost control and crashed, police said.
Three children and a man were injured in the crash, Prince George's County's fire department said.
A helicopter rushed the 16-month-old girl to the hospital, Stachurski said during a press conference. She died there as a result of her injuries.
"The loss of any kind of child... it's heartbreaking, to say the least," Stachurski said.
Maryland police had not yet joined the chase when the crash took place, Stachurski said. Traffic camera video in Virginia shows police trailing the driver in rush-hour traffic.
Amber Alert was issued for 3 siblings in 'extreme danger'
Virginia State Police issued an Amber Alert at about 2 a.m. Thursday for three children ages 7, 5 and 16 months. Officials warned they were in "extreme danger."
The Virginia Beach Police Department said Plummer stabbed the children’s mother and then took the children at about 9 p.m. Wednesday.
“The children are believed to have been abducted by Dana Demetrius Plummer, 36, and may be traveling in a black 2024 Honda Passport SUV with temporary Virginia tags: 37555OR,” state police said.
“The children are believed to be in extreme danger and were last seen at Jay Are Court in Virginia Beach,” police continued.
In Virginia Beach, the stabbing victims were taken to hospitals and were in stable condition, police said.
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Drivers in Maryland were advised to expect major delays.
Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
