State Police Report Nine Killed, 312 Injured in Fourth of July Holiday Crashes

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nine people were killed and 312 people injured in crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police during the Fourth of July holiday driving period.

State troopers investigated a total of 845 crashes between July 4 and 8. Of those crashes, 85 were alcohol-related, including four of the fatalities. Seven of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

During the same period, state troopers arrested 432 people for driving under the influence.

"I'm disappointed that so many drivers still get behind the wheel after drinking," State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said. "And it's clear that far too many people don't buckle up when they travel. The numbers illustrate once again that risky behavior, such as drinking and driving or not wearing a seat belt, can lead to tragic ends."

During the five-day period, troopers issued 7,888 speeding citations, cited 773 motorists for failing to wear seat belts and issued 107 citations to motorists for not securing children in safety seats.

The number of people killed and injured, as well as the number of crashes, increased over last year's Fourth of July holiday period. Between July 1 and 4, 2011, there were seven fatalities and 303 injuries in the 723 crashes to which troopers responded.

These reports cover only those incidents investigated by State Police and do not include statistics on crashes to which other law-enforcement agencies responded.

Media contacts: Maria Finn, 717-783-5556

SOURCE Pennsylvania State Police

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