Nine Fatalities Reported During Thanksgiving Holiday Period
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – Preliminary statistics* indicate that 13 people died in 12 separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013.
Four fatalities occurred prior to the start of the Thanksgiving holiday reporting period. One single fatality motor vehicle crash occurred in each of the following counties: Boone Calloway, Jefferson and Whitley. The victim in Jefferson County was not wearing a seat belt. The crash in Whitley County involved the suspected use of alcohol.
Seven fatalities were reported as the result of six motor vehicle crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which started at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1. One double fatality crash occurred in Green County. One single fatality crash occurred in each of the following counties: Graves, Knox, Marshall, Owsley and Warren. The victims in Graves, Owsley and Warren counties were not wearing seat belts. The crashes in Marshall, Owsley and Warren counties involved the suspected use of alcohol.
Also reported during the holiday period was one motorcycle fatality in Daviess County and one pedestrian killed in Jefferson County as the result of a crash involving the suspected use of alcohol.
In 2012, 1,064 traffic crashes occurred throughout Kentucky during the Thanksgiving holiday period, claiming seven lives and injuring 202 people.
Through Dec. 1, preliminary statistics* indicate that 586 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2013. This is 98 fewer than reported for this time period in 2012. Of the 451 motor vehicle fatalities, 225 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 72 motorcycle fatalities, 44 were not wearing a helmet. Ten of the 10 ATV fatalities were not wearing a helmet. Forty-nine pedestrians and three bicycle riders have been killed. One fatality involving an animal drawn vehicle has been reported. A total of 132 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol. As of Dec. 1, Kentucky has had 73 days with zero highway fatalities reported during 2013.
Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.
*These statistics are still preliminary as KSP waits for all local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to report any crashes and fatalities that may have occurred in their areas.
