Seven Die in Crashes Investigated by Pennsylvania State Police During Holiday Weekend

Troopers Make 358 DUI Arrests; Issue 7,007 Speeding Citations

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seven people were killed and 303 others were injured in crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police during the four-day Fourth of July holiday travel period, Commissioner Frank Noonan said today.

State police investigated a total of 723 crashes during the travel period that covered Friday, July 1, through Monday, July 4, Noonan said.

Four of those killed were not wearing seat belts and 74 of the crashes were alcohol-related, including four of the fatal crashes.

Noonan said troopers arrested 358 motorists for driving under the influence; issued 7,007 speeding citations; cited 519 individuals for not wearing seat belts; and issued 103 citations to motorists for not securing children in child safety seats.

During last year's four-day Fourth of July holiday driving period, 10 people died and 361 were injured in 712 crashes to which troopers responded.

Noonan said the numbers cover only those crashes investigated by state police and do not include statistics on incidents to which other law-enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania responded.

For more information, visit www.psp.state.pa.us or call 717-783-5556.

Media contact: Maria A. Finn, 717-783-5556

SOURCE Pennsylvania State Police Department