RICHMOND, Va. — Ten people were killed in eight separate crashes during the Labor Day holiday weekend, according to preliminary data released by the Virginia State Police. The fatalities occurred between August 30 and September 2, 2024, during the final summer holiday. Two of the crashes were double fatalities, one in Northampton County on September 1, and the other in Henry County on September 2.
The crashes spanned multiple localities, including Bedford, Caroline, Floyd, Henrico, Henry, Montgomery, and Northampton counties, as well as the city of Lynchburg. Pedestrians were involved in fatal incidents in Caroline County and Lynchburg. The number of fatalities is down from 2023, when 14 people were killed during the same holiday period.
“We continue to be on an unsustainable pace for traffic fatalities,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “As the year winds down, we cannot stress enough the need for people to slow down, to buckle up, to place their complete focus on driving, and to drive sober.”
During the four-day period, Virginia State Police participated in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort), deploying all available troopers to enforce traffic laws. Troopers issued 3,078 speeding citations and 1,376 reckless driving citations. Additionally, 77 drivers were charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), including one for driving under the influence of drugs.
Other violations included 261 citations for the hands-free driving law, 463 seat belt violations, and 105 child restraint violations. Troopers responded to a total of 797 crashes during the holiday weekend.
Proceeds from citations issued by the Virginia State Police contribute to the state’s Literary Fund, supporting public school construction, technology funding, and teacher retirement.
The investigation into the fatal crashes continues.
