Fifteen Killed in Virginia Crashes Over Independence Day Holiday

Virginia State Police say 15 people died in 14 crashes during the four-day Independence Day holiday period from July 2 through July 5.

The fatal crashes occurred in Alleghany, Appomattox, Brunswick, Fauquier, Frederick, Nottoway, Pulaski, Roanoke, Shenandoah, Smyth, Spotsylvania, and Suffolk counties, as well as the City of Danville. Frederick County reported two fatal crashes.

A head-on crash in Smyth County on July 3 killed two people. On July 5 in Frederick County, a motorcyclist died in a crash on Interstate 81 after refusing to stop for a trooper who attempted to pull him over for reckless driving by speed, according to state police.

“Fatal crashes are preventable,” said Lt. Col. Todd Taylor, director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Field Operations.

Taylor said preliminary information shows at least four of those killed were not wearing seat belts, and excessive speed was a factor in at least four fatal crashes.

During the 2026 Operation C.A.R.E. holiday enforcement period, troopers cited 3,153 drivers for speeding and 1,540 for reckless driving. They also arrested 70 drivers for DUI or DUI-drugs and issued 474 seat belt citations and 133 child restraint citations.

Troopers responded to 892 crashes statewide during the holiday period.