Preliminary data shows that 15 people lost their lives in 14 crashes over the four-day Independence Day holiday counting period (July 2-July 5). The crashes occurred in the counties of Alleghany, Appomattox, Brunswick, Fauquier, Frederick (2), Nottaway, Pulaski, Roanoke, Shenandoah, Smyth, Spotsylvania, and Suffolk, and the City of Danville. One head-on crash in Smyth County on July 3rd killed two people, and on July 5th in Frederick County a motorcyclist a trooper attempted to stop for reckless driving by speed died in a crash on Interstate 81 after refusing to stop for the trooper.
“Fatal crashes are preventable” said Lieutenant Colonel Todd Taylor, Director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Field Operations. “Seatbelts save lives, and preliminary information reveals at least four of those killed in these crashes were not utilizing their seatbelts. Excessive speed was a factor in at least four of the fatal crashes as well. The worst thing to happen to you when you do not follow the rules of the road is not a ticket but loss of your life or someone else’s. Nobody involved in these crashes expected that to happen while the world was celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, but it did. If they would have buckled up, slowed down, avoided distractions, and stayed sober, these tragic outcomes likely could have been prevented.”
During the 2026 Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) initiative for the Independence Day holiday, troopers cited over 3,153 drivers for speeding and 1,540 for reckless driving. Seventy drivers were arrested for driving under the influence/driving under the influence-drugs. Troopers also wrote 474 seatbelt citations and 133 child restraint citations. Virginia State Police troopers worked 892 crashes.
Operation CARE is a state-sponsored, national program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries due to impaired driving, speeding, and failing to wear a seat belt.
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.