Eight fatal Labor Day weekend crashes, including one in Henrico, leave 10 dead in Virginia

Virginia witnessed 10 fatalities in car accidents during the Labor Day weekend, according to preliminary data from state police officials – down from the 14 recorded in the same period a year earlier. One of the fatal crashes occurred in Henrico County.

Two double-fatal crashes occurred in the state during the holiday weekend; the first Sept. 1 in Northampton County, and the second on Sept. 2, in Henry County.

“We continue to be on an unsustainable pace for traffic fatalities,” said Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel Gary T. Settle in a statement. “As the year winds down, we cannot stress enough the need for people to slow down, to buckle up, to place their complete focus on driving, and to drive sober.”

The four-day period examined ran from 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 30, 2024, to 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2024. During the statistical counting period, Virginia State Police troopers cited 3,078 drivers for speeding and 1,376 drivers for reckless driving, according to police.

Seventy-seven people were charged with driving under the influence, including one for driving under the influence of drugs. There were 261 citations for violations of the hands-free law, and 463 seat belt violations, as well as 105 child restraint violations.

The revenue from the fines will go toward court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which supports public education, technology and teacher retirement.