Six people killed in crashes on Virginia highways during July 4 holiday

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Six people were killed in crashes during the July 4, 2024 holiday period, with Virginia State Police issuing thousands of citations in an effort to increase safety and reduce the number of traffic deaths.

According to Virginia State Police, preliminary data indicates six people died in six crashes during the five-day statistical counting period designated for the July 4, 2024 holiday, which began at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, and concluded at midnight on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

Of those who died, one was a pedestrian struck in a hit-and-run crash, four were drivers and one was a passenger.

The deadly crashes took place in the City of Richmond, as well as the counties of Bedford, Charles City, Henrico and Wythe. Two of the deadly crashes occurred in Bedford County, according to authorities.

According to officials, during the two-day statistical counting period for the holiday in 2023, seven people died from crashes on Virginia’s highways.

To do its part to increase safety and reduce traffic fatalities on Virginia’s highways during the holiday, State Police participated in Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE), a program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries due to impaired driving, speed and failing to wear a seat belt.

During the 2024 Operation CARE initiative for the July 4 holiday, Virginia cited 4,044 speeders and 1,868 reckless drivers. Troopers arrested 95 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

According to Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel Gary T. Settle, on July 4 in the middle of the afternoon on I-495 in Northern Virginia, Trooper J.T. Pappas stopped a driver for speeding at 137 mph in a posted 65 mph zone.

“A few days before that a motorist was cited for driving 125 mph on I-64 in Rockbridge County,” Settle said.

According to officials, troopers also issued 574 citations to individuals for failing to buckle up, and another 191 citations for children not being properly secured in a vehicle. They cited 423 drivers for being in violation of Virginia’s “hands-free” law.

State police investigated 1,027 total traffic crashes statewide and assisted 1,011 disabled or stranded drivers during the July 4 statistical counting period, according to authorities.

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