VSP: 6 killed in crashes over Fourth of July holiday in Virginia

VIRGINIA ( DC News Now ) — Virginia State Police (VSP) said six people were killed in crashes on highways across the Commonwealth over the Fourth of July holiday.

Preliminary data from state police showed that of those six crashes, one involved a pedestrian who died in a hit-and-run. VSP said the fatal crashes took place in Richmond and Bedford, Charles City, Henrico, and Wythe counties.

“Excessive speeding, drivers and passengers failing to buckle up and distracted driving continue to put too many at risk traveling on our highways,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent.

“On July 4th in the middle of the afternoon on I-495 in Northern Virginia, Trooper J.T. Pappas stopped a driver for doing 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. Virginia highways are no place for triple-digit speeds. To save lives on our roads, Virginians must put forth the extra effort and comply with posted speed limits.”

Each year, state police take action in Operation Reduce Crash Awareness Effort (C.A.R.E), a national effort to reduce deadly crashes and fatalities on the highways. During this year’s five-day counting period, state police investigated 1,027 crashes, and cited 4,044 speeders and 1,868 reckless drivers.

VSP said police arrested 95 people for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and officers gave 574 citations to people for failing to wear a seatbelt.

Officers handed out another 191 citations for children not being properly secured in a vehicle, and 423 drivers were cited for violating Virginia’s “hands-free” law.

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