VSP reflects on Labor Day Weekend Operation C.A.R.E

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY Va. (WRIC) — Virginia State Police (VSP) is offering a look into its Labor Day Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort, or C.A.R.E. — an initiative aimed at improving road safety and reducing crashes.

According to VSP, there were a total of 10 people killed in eight crashes across Virginia during this year’s Labor Day Weekend, four fewer than last year. Of the eight people killed in Virginia, two were in the Richmond area.

One of them was 83-year-old William Byron Gilman, who was crushed by his own truck on the side of Rogers Clark Boulevard in Caroline County. The other was 24-year-old Mkayla Emani Harris, who was ejected from her vehicle after it overturned on Interstate 95 near Interstate 295 in Henrico County. She was not wearing a seatbelt.

Sgt. Caleb Neece of VSP said the department worked nearly 800 crashes in total during this year’s Labor Day weekend.

“We are definitely pleased to see that the number [of road deaths] has decreased compared to last year, but still, any death on the road is unfortunate,” said Neece. “We’d still like to see that at zero, ideally.”

This year’ Labor Day Weekend also saw a slight increase in DUI arrests. VSP cited 77 people for driving under the influence, compared to 73 such citations in 2023.

Sgt. Neece believes the increased police presence through Operation C.A.R.E contributed to a safer holiday weekend.

“I think just the extra presence of the troopers does increase and help impact the speed, the awareness of DUI and help reduce the numbers [of incidents] across the board,” he said.

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