VSP issues Senior Alert for Albemarle County man
Virginia State Police issued a senior alert for Lawrence Gaines Thomas of Scottsville, Virginia.
Thomas suffers from a cognitive impairment and his disappearance poses a threat to his health and safety.
Thomas is a 78 year old, 5’5”, 130 pound male with brown eyes and gray hair.
It is unknown what clothes he was last seen wearing. Thomas was last seen at 5pm yesterday at the Scottsville Food Lion.
He is possibly driving a 2016 Nissan Rogue with Virginia plates VLP-1923 with a bumper sticker that says “Blessed.”
If you have any information on his whereabouts, contact the Albemarle County Police Department at 434-977-9041.
A link to the missing person’s post with a picture can be found here.
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VSP launches cold case website
Virginia State Police launched a pilot website in June with a number of “cold cases” throughout the state.
Since the start of the website, it has grown to include 44 unsolved homicides, nine missing persons, and seven unidentified persons reports.
State police have trained 19 local police and sheriff’s offices on how to access and upload cases.
The website is also available to the public and includes a searchable database with photographs, information, and who to contact for unsolved homicide, missing or unidentified person cases that have been unsolved for at least 5 years.
The database was created following legislation passed in 2020 that was sponsored by Virginia Delegate Danica Roem.
To access the database, click here.
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VSP investigates fatal crash in Page County
Virginia State Police are investigating a five car crash that left two people dead on Wednesday afternoon.
The crash occurred at the intersection of 340 and Route 662.
The driver of a Honda Pilot was traveling south on 340 and swerved to avoid two vehicles making a left turn.
The Honda sideswiped both turning cars and then crossed the centerline and collided with a Ford E-350 which then hit a Ford F-150 also traveling south.
The F-150 then caught on fire.
The driver of the Honda, Tina Wofford, 43, of Howell, NJ, suffered minor injuries and was charged with reckless driving.
Both the driver and passenger in the Ford F-150 died at the scene and neither were wearing seatbelts.
No other drivers were injured in the crash which remains under investigation.
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VSP ask for the public’s help in fatal accident investigation
The Virginia State Police (VSP) report by email that they continue to investigate an accident in Fauquier County on Sun. Aug. 28.
The fatal accident occurred around 2 p.m. when a Freightliner Tractor Trailer collided with a Harley Davidson motorcycle at the intersection of Route 17 and 29.
A 77 year old unidentified rider of the motorcycle from Bealeton Virginia was killed in the collision.
The 64 year old unidentified driver of the tractor trailer from Sterling Virginia was uninjured in the accident.
VSP are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or perhaps have security footage of the incident to please contact authorities.
If you have any security footage from around 2 p.m. Sun. afternoon Aug. 28 please review the footage for any helpful information on the incident.
Contact Trooper D. Garasimowicz at 540-347-6200 or area12@vsp.virginia.gov with any information.
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VSP investigate a fatal accident in Shenandoah County
Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a fatal single vehicle accident in Shenandoah County from Sun. afternoon.
According to an email from VSP Public information Officer Brent Coffey the accident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on Aug. 21.
A Ford F-150 traveling South on Interstate 81 attempted to exit the highway at the mile marker 291 exit ramp abruptly.
The truck ran off the right side of the road colliding with the embankment near Toms Brook.
The truck was hauling a small utility trailer that overturned.
The 65 year old driver of the truck Louin S. Coates of Woodbridge died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained from the impact.
Coates was not wearing his seatbelt.
A 13 year old male passenger of the truck sustained minor injuries and was transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The teen passenger was wearing his seatbelt.
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VSP investigate a two plane collision
A two plane collision in Fauquier County was reported by email by the Virginia State Police (VSP).
At approximately 9:05 Saturday morning a Stearman Aircraft was attempting to land when another Srearman Aircraft was attempting to take off.
The two crafts collided causing one to overturn in the 5100 block of Ritchie Road.
The unidentified 62 year old pilot of the landing craft and his 50 year old female passenger were both treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The unidentified 62 year old pilot of the plane taking off is from Chesterfield and his 14 year old female passenger were also both treated at the scene for minor injuries.
No one on the ground was injured with the incident remaining under investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the incident and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified.
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VSP expand the investigation into an Officer involved shooting
The Virginia State Police (VSP) confirm by email that they have been asked by the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the fatal officer shooting of Sean McCormack of Strasburg.
The VSP have now confirmed that they have also been asked by the Woodstock Police Department Police Chief to investigate the incident.
McCormack was shot Mon. night July 25 after authorities attempted several times to get him to surrender peacefully but produced a weapon as he exited his home on Copp Road.
McCormack’s remains have been transported to the state Medical Examiner’s Office where an attempt to determined who fired the fatal shot will be made.
Officers from both Shenandoah County and Woodstock Police Department fired at McCormack.
As is standard procedure the Officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.
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VA schools, students, and police honored for Traffic Safety
Schools, students, and law enforcement from around Virginia will be honored today in Harrisonburg for the annual Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety.
The banquet will honor those who demonstrated exemplary efforts to encourage safe driving and passenger safety among teenagers.
15 categories will be awarded, with most of those going to student and school based groups.
A Lifetime Achievement Award and the Shining Star Award will also be awarded to community members.
YOVASO is a program of the Virginia State Police and funded by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Suspicious Packages under Investigation
Several roads were blocked off yesterday in Winchester. From the post office on North Pleasant Valley Road and the area
of Jim Barnett Park to Cork Street. In a joint effort between Virginia State Police, Winchester Fire & Rescue, Frederick
County Sheriff’s Office & Frederick County Fire Marshal’s Office the roads were opened back up and now currently under
investigation by the Virginia State Police. If anyone has any information or witnessed the placing of the suspicious boxes
please contact VSP.
804-674-2000 or email at vsp.virginia.gov
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VSP’s report on the Independence Day weekend
Virginia State Police (VSP) released their Independence day 2022 weekend activity report by email.
The weekend counting period began Fri. July 1 through Mon. July 4 and included 9 fatalities.
Three of those fatalities were motorcyclists in Virginia.
Two of the 9 fatalities were in Loudoun and Warren Counties.
One fatal accident involved an All Terrain Vehicle the motorcycle fatalities were single vehicle and involved motorcyclist losing control before the accident.
One of those accidents was in Warren County and involved at least one pedestrian.
Where traffic fatalities were down compared to last year’s July 4 holiday the state has already recorded 423 traffic deaths statewide this year.
Virginia Troopers arrested 69 people under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Troopers cited over 4200 speeders and almost 1600 reckless drivers.
There were 429 citations for failure to buckle up and over 130 improperly secured children citations.
Troopers cited 165 drivers for hands free violations.
Troopers were able to assist almost 1,000 motorists statewide.
As we are only half way through the year VSP Superintendent Colonel Gary T. Settle urges drivers to keep their guard up when it comes to traffic safety.
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