RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – Preliminary data indicate 11 people were killed on Virginia’s roads over the 2024 Memorial Day Holiday weekend, according to Virginia State Police. The number is up from the 2023 Memorial Day holiday, when nine people were killed on Virginia’s highways, according to numbers provided by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

The fatal crashes occurred in Craig, Dinwiddie, Fairfax, Franklin, Goochland and Henry counties, as well as the cities of Hampton and Lynchburg. 

The fatalities include a single-vehicle crash in Henry County May 25 that killed two people, a woman killed in a motorcycle crash May 26 in Lynchburg, one death in a three-vehicle crash May 24 in Franklin County, and a death in another three-vehicle crash in Craig County May 26.

“Our goal for every major holiday travel weekend is for there to be no fatal crashes on our highways,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police.  “Eleven people is far too many lives lost. If this summer is going to be a safe one, drivers must watch their speed, buckle up, drive sober, and focus on the roads.”

As part of the nationwide, state-sponsored Operation C.A.R.E (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort), Virginia State Police had all available troopers and supervisors on patrol during the 2024 holiday weekend, according to VSP. During the statistical counting period, troopers cited more than 3,500 drivers for speeding and more than 1,400 drivers for reckless driving. Ninety-two drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI/DUID). Virginia state troopers also cited 303 drivers for violating the “hands-free” phone law.

Virginia is also participating in the annual Click It or Ticket seatbelt education and enforcement campaign. Over the holiday, there were 535 seatbelt violations and 112 child restraint citations issued by state police.

Police say, “Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.”

Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Rixeyville, Virginia, on Sunday night, and five people who were likely taking cover in a shed were injured.