12 Killed in Ohio Crashes Over Labor Day Weekend
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Twelve people were killed in 12 separate crashes across Ohio during the four-day Labor Day weekend, according to preliminary statistics released by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The holiday reporting period began at midnight Friday, Sept. 4, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.
According to the Patrol, at least one of the fatal crashes was related to operating a vehicle while impaired. Troopers arrested 426 people for impaired driving and another 70 on drug-related charges during the reporting period.
Of the fatalities involving vehicles in which a safety belt was available, one person was not wearing a seat belt.
Although Ohio’s safety-belt law remains a secondary violation, troopers maintained a zero-tolerance approach when motorists stopped for other violations were found not wearing their seat belts. Troopers issued 2,136 safety-belt citations during the holiday weekend.
The Patrol also reported:
- 502 crashes investigated
- 1,525 distracted-driving citations issued
- 1,563 motorists assisted
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging motorists to help make the state’s roads safer by reporting suspected impaired drivers, dangerous driving and drug activity by calling #677.
