12 die on Virginia holidays over the Fourth of July weekend

(From a press release) RICHMOND -- Twelve people were killed on the state's highways over the holiday weekend, Virginia State Police reported in a press release today.

The holiday travel period began at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and ended at midnight Sunday.

Last year during the same period, 18 people were killed in 17 crashes. As of today, there have been 411 traffic fatalities in Virginia, compared to 504 this time last year.

More statics:

• Of the 12 killed over the holiday, all but two were male.


• Two of the people who were killed were riding on motorcyles. One was not wearing a helmet.


• Six of the 10 people killed who were in passenger vehicles were not wearing seatbelts.


• Alcohol was a factor in at least one crash.


• The fatalities occurred in Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, Kenbridge, and in the counties of Carroll, Dickenson, Goochland, Greensville, Halifax, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania and Stafford.


• State Police issued 16,994 traffic and criminal citations, including 149 for DUI, 7,697 for speeding, 2,053 for reckless driving, 292 for not using child restraints; 803 for seat belt violations. and investigated 744 traffic crashes, with 177 of them with injuries