Virginia State Police blanketed with requests for snow storm assistance

From 4 p.m. Monday through 4 a.m. Tuesday, Virginia State Police troopers and dispatchers statewide have fielded 2,231 calls for service statewide. During the 12-hour period statewide, Virginia troopers responded to 825 traffic crashes and 620 disabled vehicles. The majority of the crashes involved damaged vehicles only. Due to vehicles losing control on slick roadways, two VSP troopers have been struck and injured.

Fatal Crash: Monday night at 10:05 p.m., Virginia State Police responded to a crash in Loudoun County at the intersection of Route 15 and Route 50. The crash resulted in a traffic fatality. The roadway was re-opened by 2 a.m. Tuesday.

As of 7:00 a.m., State Troopers wereresponding to another 26 traffic crashes across the Commonwealth. All but a few involve injuries.

The following is a breakdown of calls for service by Virginia State Police from 4:00 p.m. Monday through 4:00
a.m. Tuesday:

Division I–Richmond (Metro Richmond/Northern Neck/Tri-Cities)
Traffic Crashes=210       Disabled Vehicles=127         Total Calls for Service=415

Division II–Culpeper (Fredericksburg/Culpeper/Warrenton/Harrisonburg/Winchester)
Traffic Crashes=88           Disabled Vehicles=94         Total Calls for Service=224

Division III-Appomattox (Charlottesville/Waynesboro/Staunton/Lynchburg/South Boston/South Hill)
Traffic Crashes=78           Disabled Vehicles=29         Total Calls for Service=189

Division IV-Wytheville (Wytheville/Dublin/Galax/Bristol/Vansant/Wise)
Traffic Crashes=42             Disabled Vehicles=86         Total Calls for Service=262

Division V-Chesapeake (Hampton Roads/Tidewater/Eastern Shore/Williamsburg/Franklin/Emporia)
Traffic Crashes=212           Disabled Vehicles=97         Total Calls for Service=469
         
A State Trooper was struck Monday evening while investigating a traffic crash. At 8:13 p.m., Trooper C. Draughn was seated inside his vehicle on I-264 at a crash scene in the westbound lanes just east of Frederick Boulevard in Portsmouth. A vehicle lost control and struck the trooper’s car. The trooper was transported to Chesapeake General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Division VI-Salem (Lexington/Clifton Forge/Roanoke/Blacksburg/Bedford/Martinsville/Danville)
Traffic Crashes=74           Disabled Vehicles=97         Total Calls for Service=239

Division VII-Fairfax (Prince William/Loudoun/Arlington/Alexandria/Fairfax)
Traffic Crashes=121           Disabled Vehicles=122         Total Calls for Service=433

State police are investigating a crash that occurred just after 6 a.m. Tuesday in which a state trooper was struck. The trooper was investigating a traffic crash in the northbound lanes of I-495 at Exit 45 when his patrol car was rear ended by another vehicle. The trooper has been transported to Fairfax Inova Hospital for treatment.

Motorists are still being advised to stay off the highways as roads are slick and hazardous. For their safety, drivers are advised to delay travel until later Tuesday so VDOT crews can treat and clear the highways.

Drivers are also advised NOT to call 911 or #77 to find out about road conditions. These phone lines must remain clear for real emergencies. Call 511 for road conditions or click on http://www.511virginia.org.

If having to travel, drivers are reminded to do drive to save lives (#drivetosavelives):
·      Clear off all snow from your vehicle – windows, roof, trunk and lights        
·      Add extra time to reach travel destination
·      Slow speed for road conditions
·      Increase driving distances between vehicles for increased stopping distance
·      Buckle up and don’t drive distracted
·      MOVE OVER for all stopped emergency vehicles, highway vehicles and two trucks.