King William County, Va. – The Virginia State Police is investigating a tragic single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a man early Saturday morning, October 25, 2025, in King William County.
According to authorities, the crash occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. in the 14000 block of West River Road. A black Ram 1500 traveling eastbound ran off the left side of the roadway for reasons still under investigation, striking several trees before coming to a stop.
The driver, identified as 35-year-old Rafael William Smith Polanco, of West Point, Virginia, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators confirmed that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
West River Road remained closed for several hours as crash reconstruction teams and investigators worked to document the scene and determine what led to the fatal accident.
The Virginia State Police continues to investigate the cause of the crash and are reminding drivers to always wear seatbelts and drive cautiously, especially during early morning hours when visibility and road conditions can pose additional risks.
This heartbreaking incident has left the community mourning the loss of Rafael Polanco, whose life was tragically cut short.