6 killed in Thanksgiving weekend crashes statewide, including 2 in Central Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Six people died in crashes on Virginia roadways this Thanksgiving holiday, including two deadly crashes in Central Virginia, according to Virginia State Police.

These crashes took place in Richmond and Dinwiddie County, as well as Accomack, Augusta, Carroll and Pittsylvania counties.

Richmond's deadly crash took place on Saturday, Nov. 29 and involved a pedestrian. Wintry weather is believed to have been a factor in the crash in Carroll, which happened on Interstate 77 on Sunday, Nov. 30.

In total, state troopers worked 1,147 crashes, with 123 of those crashes resulting in injuries.

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This Thanksgiving holiday saw the fewest traffic deaths in at least the past three years. Over the holiday weekend in 2024, seven people died. In 2023 and 2022, 11 and 19 people died, respectively.

Yearly traffic deaths are also down this year. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, a total of 671 people have died on Virginia's roadways. During that same period in 2024, 788 people died -- meaning there have been 117 fewer deaths in 2025 over 2024.

“We are pleased that fatalities are down for the Thanksgiving holiday, as well as the calendar year,” said Col. Matthew D. Hanley, superintendent of Virginia State Police, in a Dec. 2 press release. “But one fatality is one too many, and while our troopers push to make the roads as safe as possible, we also need Virginians to buckle up, drive sober, avoid distractions and stay within the speed limit.”

Over the holiday weekend, Virginia State Police activated Operation Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort (CARE), which is an annual, state-sponsored, national program. Under this initiative, the agency increased its visibility and traffic enforcement efforts.

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During this time, state troopers cited 4,237 drivers for speeding and over 1,700 for reckless driving. Another 481 people were cited for not wearing a seatbelt and 126 citations were issued for child restraint violations.

Finally, 63 people were arrested for driving under the influence.