Five Die Over July 4th Holiday Weekend
(FRANKFORT, KY) – Preliminary statistics* indicate that five people died in five separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways during the official July 4th Independence Day holiday period, which began at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 2 and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 5.
Four of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and three of those were not wearing seat belts. The motor vehicle crashes occurred in Grayson, Hopkins, Bell and Todd counties.
One crash involved a motorcycle in Fayette County and the victim was not wearing a helmet. The suspected use of alcohol was a factor in this crash.
Through July 5th, preliminary statistics* indicate that 353 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2010. This is 51 less than reported for the same time period in 2009. There were 287 motor vehicle fatalities and 148 of those victims were not wearing seat belts. Twenty-six pedestrians have been killed. Thirty fatalities involved a motorcycle, one involved a scooter and seven involved an ATV. Two fatalities involved a bicycle. Forty-three crashes involved a commercial motor vehicle. A total of eighty fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.
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.
