VSP

Virginia State Police hoping to lower the number of people not wearing seatbelts on the road with ‘Click It or Ticket' Campaign

Two people were taken to the hospital after a crash in Bedford County on Monday morning, according to Virginia State Police.

As snow continues to fall across much of the Commonwealth, Virginia State Police is busy responding to hundreds of crashes and disabled vehicles.

Virginia State Police say there were four deadly crashes in the Commonwealth during the Thanksgiving Holiday, the lowest number in more than a decade.

Virginia State Police are investigating a deadly single vehicle crash in Alleghany County. The crash happened Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7:07 p.m. on Route 311, two tenths of a mile west of Tuckahoe Road.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Va. – A Virginia State Police Trooper and his K-9 sustained injuries during an early Friday morning pursuit in Charlotte County. Meeks responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle driving around a private property on Ridgeway Farm Lane in Charlotte County. However, the driver of Volvo rammed his vehicle into the trooper’s vehicle before leaving the scene at a high speed. Authorities said a pursuit was initiated afterward with assistance from a Charlotte County Sheriff’s Deputy. He and his K-9 sustained minor injuries during the pursuit and are receiving treatment.

Virginia State Police have responded to hundreds of crashes across the Commonwealth on Sunday during the winter storm. Between 12 a.m. to 9 p.m., police responded to 362 traffic crashes and 321 disabled/stuck vehicles in Virginia. At about 2 p.m., police said they were on the scene of 16 traffic crashes and eight disabled/stuck vehicles. Here’s a breakdown of how many crashes and disabled/stuck vehicles police responded to as of 2 p.m. in each division:Richmond Division: 71 disabled vehicles and 117 traffic crashesCulpeper Division: 30 disabled vehicles and 31 traffic crashesAppomattox Division: 41 disabled vehicles and 39 traffic crashesWytheville Division: 39 disabled vehicles and 19 traffic crashesChesapeake Division: 47 disabled vehicles and 60 traffic crashesSalem Division: 49 disabled vehicles and 52 traffic crashesFairfax Division: 44 disabled vehicles and 46 traffic crashesPolice continue to advise Virginians to avoid travel through Sunday afternoon and evening to allow VDOT crews to safely and effectively treat the roads.

Brian Ford, 23, a correctional officer at the Valdosta State Prison (VSP) in Valdosta, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to one count of using excessive force against an inmate housed at the facility. “These acts are egregious for any person to commit, let alone a member of our law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “It is the duty of law enforcement to uphold the law and protect others, not dole out punishment as they see fit. “There are many legitimate ways to hand out punishment to inmates who misbehave, but assaulting a handcuffed inmate is not one of them. This case was investigated by the FBI, and was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Katherine G. DeVar and Nicole Raspa of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Solis of the Middle District of Georgia.

ROANOKE, Va – Virginia State Police are teaming up with several organizations in our area to make sure teen drivers stay safe on the road this Halloween weekend. The Youth Of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety Organization (YOVASO) is encouraging teens to make good choices and celebrate responsibly by carving pumpkins with safety messages this year. Organizers say since the holiday falls on a weekend more people on the road are at risk. There is a contest for the best pumpkin which ends on Halloween at midnight. For more information, click here.

ROANOKE, Va. – UPDATEThe Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian who was hit in the City of Roanoke. At 12:51 a.m. the Virginia State Police was called to assist the Roanoke Police Department with a crash in the 2800 block of Williamson Road. The Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was called to assist with the crash. ORIGINAL STORYOne person was hospitalized early Sunday morning after being hit by a car. According to Roanoke police, for a variety of factors the crash is being investigated by Virginia State Police.