Fatal crashes down this Memorial Day weekend

Nine people died on Virginia roads over the Memorial Day weekend, according to a preliminary report from the Virginia State Police.

Last year, 12 were killed in crashes during the holiday weekend, one of which happened in Spotsylvania.

None of this year’s fatal crashes happened in the Fredericksburg area.

One serious local crash happened Saturday morning on Interstate 95 near Exit 130 in which two passengers were ejected from the vehicle. Mauricio Rubio, a 16-year-old Woodbridge, resident, was hospitalized with serious injuries. His brother, 15-year-old Alfredo Rubio, was treated at the hospital and released.

State Police Sgt. Les Tyler said he has not received any new information on the the older Rubio’s status.

The driver, Marlon Jevani Reyes-Padilla, 26, of Charles City was charged with hit and run, reckless driving and driving without a license.

In eight of the nine fatal crashes over the weekend, the driver or passenger wasn’t wearing a seat belt, the state police said.

“While the fatality rate during the Memorial Day weekend is lower than last year’s, the loss of life is still disturbing,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police superintendent. “It’s equally troubling to see the number of fatal crashes across the state involving individuals who were not buckled up, despite the fact we are in the middle of a Click-It-or-Ticket enforcement initiative.”

Troopers investigated 666 crashes statewide over the weekend and issued 13,649 summonses and arrests.

They also helped more than 3,000 motorists.

Of those ticketed:

• 11,794 were cited for speeding.

• 3,051 were charged with reckless driving.

• 1,168 were cited for safety belt violations.

• 393 were ticketed for child safety seat violations.

• 138 were charged with impaired driving.

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