Holiday crashes decline this year

From staff reports
Published: December 3, 2008

Local Thanksgiving holiday weekend drivers fared better this year than in 2007, according to Albemarle police.

County authorities handled 26 auto accidents during the five-day statistical period, according to Sgt. Peter J. Mainzer Jr. Last year, county police worked 35 accidents.

No local fatal accidents were reported either year. But there was a local fatal crash just days before this year’s holiday weekend when Albemarle resident Brittany E. Jarrell, 20, died in a head-on crash Nov. 24.

Authorities said Jarrell was driving a 2007 Kia sedan northbound on the U.S. 29/250 Bypass when the vehicle crossed the median and hit a 2005 Toyota Highlander. Jarrell and 23-year-old Charlottesville resident Lindsey M. Spatz were thrown from the car after it hit a guardrail and flipped several times. Spatz was injured and treated at a local hospital.Neither woman was wearing a seatbelt, which police believe could have prevented them from being ejected from the car.

Two people in the Toyota were also hurt. No further information was available Tuesday on the condition of the injured.

Statewide, Thanksgiving traffic fatalities were down compared with last year. Nine people died on state roads this year, while 19 were killed during the same period a year ago. This year’s fatalities were the lowest number since 2002, according to police.