Jeffrey Thomas Rose (PHOTO: Prince George Police)
PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. -- A 55-year-old Dinwiddie driver was arrested in connection to a crash that killed a Prince George High School student.
Jeffrey Thomas Rose was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated involuntary and driving under the influence (with a blood alcohol level more than 0.20), according to Prince George County Police.
Rose was the driver whose GMC pickup crashed into 18-year-old Trevor Aldridge's car Saturday night on James River Drive in Prince George County.
Rose's pickup truck was headed west when he ran off the road, overcorrected, and crossed into the eastbound lane, police said.
Aldridge was pronounced dead at the scene. His two passengers were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
"He had a big future ahead of him,” said Terri Hios, Aldridge’s aunt. "It's really sad this has had to happen, it breaks my heart and tears me apart."
Hios says the arrest helps with closure, but it won’t bring her nephew back.
“I know it's probably going to be a long road, but it does help. There's closure just knowing that person is not out there on the street anymore," she added.
Sunday night, friends and family drove in a procession to the spot where it happened and placed a cross and flowers in Aldridge's memory.
Aldridge's friends said they were selling “Long Live Trevor” bumper stickers to benefit his family and hope to organize a truck meet in his honor.
“We're going to live life and we're going to... we can't think about the bad things that happened. You always got to think about the good memories you made with him,” friend Cory Parrish said.
Part of the healing process Thursday came in a gesture from Hopewell High School where the Bluedevils signed a poster proclaiming they were Royals today.
"I liked it a lot, it really shows everyone can come together when something happens, no matter we're rivals between football, basketball or anything like that," said friend Dylan Rose. "It makes me feel really good that everyone can come together."
Jeffrey Rose is due back in court on March 18.
Witnesses can send news tips here.
Anyone with information related to the crash is requested to contact the Prince George Police Department at 804-733-2773 or Crime Solvers at 804-733-2777; you can also send your tip using the P3tips app.
