VIRGINIA BRIEFING

HERNDON

Hit-and-Run Victim Dies After Trying to Cross Parkway

A Herndon man was struck and killed by an unknown vehicle yesterday morning on the Herndon Parkway. Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Joseph A. Passarelli, 53, was walking his dog about 5:50 a.m., Herndon Lt. Donald W. Amos said. He was hit as he tried to cross the parkway near Ferndale Avenue. Another driver found Passarelli lying in the road, Amos said. The dog was found later, unhurt.

Passarelli was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he died shortly after 2 p.m., Amos said.

Police closed a section of the parkway yesterday morning to investigate. Amos said there were no known witnesses and no leads on the type of vehicle involved. Herndon police plan to return to the parkway today in hopes of finding a witness. Anyone with information is asked to call Herndon police at 703-435-6846.

-- Tom Jackman

FALLS CHURCH

Acting Police Chief Named From Within the Force

A veteran Falls Church police captain was named yesterday as acting chief to replace retiring Chief Robert T. Murray.

The new acting chief, Harry W. Reitze, 58, joined the force in July 1975 and became a captain in 1998. City officials said he has overseen criminal investigations, communications and records units. Before joining the department, which has about 32 members, he worked for the FBI, city officials said.

Murray, 59, announced his retirement last week, effective Dec. 1. Falls Church expects to launch a search soon for a permanent chief.

-- Tom Jackman