State Police say 13 killed on roads during Labor Day weekend

That's an increase of six over 2008, but fewer than in 2007

By: WSLS News Staff news@wsls.com | WSLS 10
Published: September 09, 2009

State Police say more people died on Virginia roads during the Labor Day weekend than last year.

Troopers tell us 13 people were killed in eleven crashes. The victims ranged in age from two-years-old up to 63-years-old.

Investigators say motorcycles were involved in four of the eleven crashes. One of those motorcycle crashes was in Pittsylvania County, and another in Patrick County.

State Police tell WSLS that three of the people killed in car crashes were not wearing seatbelt. Troopers also found that alcohol was involved in two car crashes, and one motorcycle crash.

The 13 deaths is an increase from last year, when seven people were killed on Virginia roads during the Labor Day weekend. But it's also fewer than the 22 people killed in 2007.

“It is discouraging to see fatalities escalate during the Labor Day weekend, during a time when the Commonwealth is largely experiencing a drop in fatalities,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent, in a news release. “What this says is, the need is still there to remind drivers they are taking their own lives, their passengers’ and other motorists’ lives into their own hands when they get behind the wheel. State police cannot emphasize enough the importance of putting safety first, so you or your loved one doesn’t become the next statistic on Virginia’s roads,” Col. Flaherty added.

State Police's "Operation C.A.R.E.," which stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort, and "Checkpoint Strikeforce" targeted drunk and dangerous drivers. Troopers say during the Labor Day period, they: