NEWPORT NEWS, VA — Virginia State Police are asking the public for help identifying a man connected to a fatal 2023 incident on Interstate 64 near Newport News. Investigators say 47-year-old Mario Amaya Orellana got into a fight with another man on Oct. 15, 2023, and was pushed into traffic.
Orellana was struck by a vehicle and died at the scene, according to state police. The other man then drove away in a blue Kia four-door sedan. Police have not released any additional information about the driver’s identity, but they say witness descriptions and photos of the suspect’s car could help move the case forward.
Fight on Interstate 64 ended with Orellana struck in traffic
State police say the confrontation happened on I-64 near Victory Boulevard in Newport News. During the struggle, the other man pushed Orellana into the roadway, where a passing car hit him fatally.
The case has remained open since the 2023 death, and investigators are still working to identify the man who fled. Because the driver left the scene, troopers are now relying on the public to help fill in the missing details. Anyone with information that may connect the man or the vehicle to the killing is being urged to contact investigators.
Witnesses described the suspect and the blue Kia sedan
According to Virginia State Police, witnesses described the suspect as a light-skinned Black male about 6 feet tall with dreadlocks. The vehicle linked to him was described as a blue Kia four-door sedan.
Photos of the car, taken by a witness, have also been made available to assist the investigation. Those images could be important because police have not said whether the vehicle has been located or whether the driver has been identified through other means. Investigators are using the description and the photos together as they continue looking for leads.
State police are asking anyone with information to call investigators
Virginia State Police said tips from the public could be crucial in identifying the suspect and clarifying what happened before and after the deadly encounter. The agency is asking anyone who may have seen the confrontation, the vehicle, or the driver to come forward.
The tip line provided by investigators is 804-750-8788. Police have not announced an arrest, and no charges were mentioned in the information released about the case. For now, the effort remains focused on identifying the man who left the scene and determining his role in Orellana’s death.
Why the case matters years after the 2023 death
Although the killing happened in 2023, the investigation continues because detectives still do not know who the other man was. Cases like this often depend on a single person recognizing a face, a vehicle, or a location detail that can be matched with records or surveillance.
In this case, the description of the suspect, the photo of the blue Kia, and the location near Victory Boulevard give investigators several points for comparison. State police have not said what led to the fight, and they have not released any information suggesting a motive. The focus now is on identifying the driver and learning more about the moments that led to Orellana being pushed into the roadway.
What investigators have made public so far
Virginia State Police have confirmed the date, place, and basic sequence of events: a fight on Oct. 15, 2023, a push into the road, and a fatal strike by a vehicle. They also confirmed Orellana’s age and the fact that the other man left in a blue Kia sedan.
Beyond that, the case remains limited to the details investigators have released. They have asked for public help rather than announcing a suspect name, which means the investigation is still open. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Virginia State Police at 804-750-8788.
