Virginia Snowstorm Causes Hundreds of Crashes, Thousands of Distress Calls

If pleas from officials haven't convinced more people that driving in Virginia are treacherous, some numbers might: From 4 p.m. Wednesday until 11:30 a.m. today, Thursday, state police have responded to more than 3,000 road calls, including 995 traffic crashes.

The majority of crashes investigated have involved damage to vehicles and no injuries, state police said in a news release.

Two storm-related deaths have been recorded since the snow started flying Wednesday. The first crash occurred Wednesday afternoon in Halifax County and claimed a Nathalie, Va., man. The second crash occurred Thursday morning in Loudoun County and claimed the life of a VDOT contract worker, the release said.

From the Virginia State Police: 

Virginians are still advised to stay off the roads this morning and through today until conditions improve. Virginians are also advised not to call 911 or #77 on a cell phone for road conditions. Emergency lines must be kept open for real emergencies requiring police, fire, and/or medical response. To obtain information about road conditions (and this applies to media, too), please call 511 or go to www.511virginia.org.

Divisional breakdown of traffic crashes from 4 p.m. Wednesday thru 11:30 a.m. Thursday:

Richmond Division: 291 traffic crashes and 139 disabled vehicles…648 total calls for service.

Culpeper Division: 80 traffic crashes and 103 disabled vehicles…328 total calls for service.

Appomattox Division: 153 traffic crashes and 88 disabled vehicles…378 calls for service.

Wytheville Division: 76 traffic crashes and 122 disabled vehicles…390 calls for service.

Chesapeake Division: 183 traffic crashes and 83 disabled vehicles…513 calls for service.

Salem Division: 134 traffic crashes and 197 disabled vehicles…581 calls for service.

Fairfax Division: 78 traffic crashes and 172 disabled vehicles…510 calls for service.