VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia State Police (VSP) is sounding the alarm following 25 deaths related to crashes across the Commonwealth, including in Hampton Roads, over a week span.
"Virginia’s summer is off to an alarmingly tragic start," a VSP release reads.
Since May 28, VSP has responded to 21 traffic crashes that have ended with 25 deaths.
Of the crashes, two involved motorcycles. One of those happened on Interstate 64 in Virginia Beach on June 1. The motorcyclist, 25-year-old Samuel Stoy, was heading east when police say he rear-ended an Alfa Romeo, causing him to be thrown from his vehicle and being struck by a Nissan Kicks.
The other crashes happened in the city of Newport News and the following counties: Accomack, Augusta, Buckingham, Brunswick, Caroline, Carroll, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Frederick, Goochland, Hanover, James City, Loudoun, Louisa, Mecklenburg, Prince George and Rockingham.
“Twenty-five traffic deaths in one week should be of very serious concern for every Virginian,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, the superintendent of VSP. “In order for this summer to be a safe one, we need Virginians to re-commit to safe driving habits. Driving smart, safe and sober must be everyone’s number one, and only, focus when behind the wheel.”
VSP has launched multiple efforts to encourage safe driving, including its Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO) program and the 100 Safest Days of Summer Campaign. The campaign emphasizes the need for safe driving between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a period that officials say sees a high number of accidents involving teenagers.
To boost motorcycle safety, VSP is offering free Ride 2 Save Lives Motorcycle Assessment training across the state. To find the nearest location, check out VSP's event page here.
So far in 2024, VSP has tracked 336 traffic fatalities on highways across the state. During that same time frame in 2023, the state recorded 341 traffic-related deaths.
