VSP: 11 dead in 9 accidents on Memorial Day weekend

RICHMOND – Virginia State Police said Wednesday that preliminary data indicates 11 people were killed on Virginia roadways during Memorial Day weekend 2024, including two two-fatal crashes in Goochland and Henry counties.

That number is up from 2023, when nine people were killed on Virginia’s highways, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

“Our goal for every major holiday travel weekend is to have zero fatalities on our highways,” said Col. Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police (VSP). “Eleven lives is far too many. If we want to keep this summer safe, drivers need to watch their speed, buckle up, drive sober and stay focused on the road.”

According to police, the fatal accidents occurred in Craig, Dinwiddie, Fairfax, Franklin, Goochland and Henry counties, as well as in the cities of Newport News and Lynchburg.

• Two people were killed in a head-on collision on May 24 in Goochland County.
• Two people were killed in a car accident in Henry County on May 25.
• On May 26, a fatal motorcycle accident occurred in the city of Lynchburg.
• On May 24, a pedestrian was killed in Fairfax County.
• During the four-day statistical period surrounding the holidays, there were two fatal traffic accidents in Dinwiddie County.

The Virginia State Police announced that all available patrol officers and supervisors will be on patrol during the 2024 holiday weekend as part of the statewide, state-sponsored Operation CARE (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort).

During the statistical counting period, over 3,500 drivers were arrested for speeding and over 1,400 drivers were arrested for reckless driving, according to police. 92 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI/DUID), and Virginia State Police officers also arrested 303 drivers for violating driving under the influence laws.

VSP noted that Virginia is also currently participating in the annual “Click It or Ticket” seat belt awareness and enforcement campaign and that there were 535 seat belt violations and 112 child restraint tickets during the holiday season.

The money collected from Virginia State Police subpoenas goes directly to court fees and the state’s literature fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement benefits, VSP said.