Police: 6 Highway Deaths Over Thanksgiving Weekend

There were six deaths in traffic crashes on Virginia highways over the holiday weekend, according to Virginia State Police.

The total was a drop from 2014’s eight fatalities. But the weekend saw a sharp increase in DUI arrests compared to the same period last year.

The fatal crashes occurred in Craig, King George and Loudoun counties, and in the cities of Hampton, Newport News and Norfolk.

“Six deaths are still six too many, but the lower number of traffic deaths for this past Thanksgiving weekend is encouraging,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “As indicated by the increase in all areas of traffic enforcement over the holiday weekend and the fact that we are still averaging a dozen more traffic deaths in 2015 compared to 2014, there are still too many drivers making irresponsible choices when behind the wheel.

From Wednesday through Sunday, Virginia troopers arrested 145 impaired drivers for DUI and cited 11,605 speeders and another 3,075 reckless drivers. In addition, the troopers cited 970 seat belt violations and 286 child safety seat violations.

“The 54 more DUI arrests this past holiday weekend compared to last year are extremely alarming, especially as we head into the holiday season and its many festivities,” Flaherty said.