NORFOLK, Va. — Six people were killed in vehicle crashes across Virginia during the 4th of July holiday period, Virginia State Police (VSP) said in a news release Wednesday.
According to the law enforcement agency, the crashes happened over a five-day statistical counting period, starting on July 3 at 12:01 a.m. and ending on July 7 at midnight.
The measurement was part of VSP's participation in Operation C.A.R.E., a program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries stemming from impaired driving, speeding and not wearing a seat belt.
Of those who died, one was a pedestrian struck in a hit-and-run crash, four were drivers and one was a passenger, VSP said. The crashes happened in Richmond and the counties of Bedford, Charles City, Henrico and Wythe.
Aside from the fatal crashes, VSP also pointed out examples of dangerous driving over the holiday period, saying more than 4,000 people were cited for speeding and nearly 2,000 were cited for reckless driving.
“Excessive speeding, drivers and passengers failing to buckle up and distracted driving continue to put too many at risk traveling on our highways,” said VSP Superintendent Colonel, Gary T. Settle.
“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.”
Here's a breakdown of other statistics shared by VSP:
- 95 arrests for driving under the influence
- 574 citations for people who didn't use a seatbelt
- 191 citations for children not being properly secured
- 423 citations for hands-free law violations
- 1,027 total crashes investigated by state police
- 1,011 disabled or stranded motorists assisted