FREDERICK COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) – Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal crash that happened Saturday morning on Interstate 81 — one of multiple crashes that occurred in the commonwealth over the Labor Day travel period.

The Frederick County crash happened at 8:08 a.m. Saturday on I-81 near the 311-mile marker, where a Toyota Camry was heading north and lost control while attempting to pass another vehicle, according to a VSP release. The car went off the left side of the road, went through the southbound lanes, rolled over and hit a sign, the release said.

VSP identified 64-year-old Ronald E. Paul, Jr. of Middletown as the driver. Paul was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Paul was not wearing a seatbelt, VSP added.

The crash remains under investigation.

Labor Day weekend travel

Elsewhere in the commonwealth between Friday morning and Monday night, VSP said there was a total of five more fatal crashes in Alexandria, Chesapeake, Lynchburg and Norfolk. Three of the crashes, including the one in Frederick County, involved people who were not wearing a seatbelt, while one was undetermined, and the other two involved motorcycles.

“Wearing a seat belt can save your life, and now, the law requires for all occupants,” said Col. Matthew D. Hanley, superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “We want Virginians to have a safe Fall, and wearing a seat belt is one of the best ways to protect yourself while on the road.”

The death toll is four fewer than the 2024 Labor Day weekend, when 10 people were killed on the roads, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. However, VSP troopers were still busy this year, working a total of 767 crashes over the holiday weekend.

Virginia law recently changed on July 1 to require everyone in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt, regardless of their age or where in the vehicle they’re sitting.

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