6 die on Virginia roads during Fourth of July weekend

Six people were killed in six separate traffic crashes during the July 4 weekend holiday in Virginia, according to preliminary data from the Virginia State Police.

The crashes included one on Route 895 in Henrico County and others in Bedford, Charles City, and Wythe counties, as well as the city of Richmond. One pedestrian was killed, as were four were drivers and one passenger, according to police. Two of the crashes happened in Bedford County.

From 12:01 a.m. July 3, to midnight July 7, Virginia State Police conducted Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort, a state-sponsored national program aimed at reducing crashes, fatalities, and injuries caused by impaired driving, speeding, and failing to wear a seat belt. In total, 4,044 speeders and 1,868 reckless drivers were cited by police during the operation. Ninety-five drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and police issued 574 citations to people for failing to buckle up, as well as another 191 citations for children not being properly secured in a vehicle. A total of 423 drivers were cited for being in violation of Virginia’s hands-free law, police said.

“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.”