VSP Amping Up Patrols

HARRISONBURG — Police will be out in droves looking for intoxicated drivers celebrating the New Year holiday today and Tuesday.

 

The Virginia State Police is increasing patrols and setting up checkpoints in an effort to crack down on drunken driving and increase safety on roads throughout the commonwealth, according to a press release.

 

VSP charged 5,178 people with driving under the influence in 2011.

 

“Don’t make the foolish decision to drive drunk because I can assure you, police will do everything we can to identify, deter and arrest impaired drivers,” Col. W. Steven Flaherty, superintendent of the state police, said in a statement.

 

During last year’s three-day Christmas holiday reporting period, seven people were killed on Virginia roads, compared to 13 the year before. Last year’s New Year holiday saw three fatalities, while the year before had six.

 

In just the last week, three people were killed in crashes in Augusta and Rockingham county. None of those incidents involved alcohol, according to police. But at least two of the people who died were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash — another preventative measure police urge motorists and their passengers to use.

 

On Dec. 23, a Staunton man died in a crash on U.S. 11 in Augusta County. Police say Daniel B. Hudnall, 24, was driving at an excessive speed at about 8:30 p.m. when his 1996 Ford Explorer went off the right side of the road and struck an embankment. Hudnall, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and then struck by another vehicle.

 

On Christmas Day, a Waynesboro man was killed in a crash on U.S. 340 north of Waynesboro when he ran off the road and struck a pole. Police say Clarence C. Gregory, who died at the scene, was not wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred at about 11:15 p.m.

 

On Friday, a Broadway man died after his car collided with a cement truck near Mauzy.

 

Jay Kenneth Leatherman, 64, was driving a 2001 Subaru west on Mayland Road at about 1 p.m. when he crossed the centerline and struck a 2003 Mack truck. Police did not say whether Leatherman was wearing a seat belt.

 

Contact Jeremy Hunt at 574-6273 or jhunt@dnronline.com