OSHP reports deadly holiday weekend

VW independent staff

18 people died in 18 traffic crashes over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according statistics provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The reporting period began at midnight Thursday, July 2 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

It was a significant increase from last year’s July 4 holiday weekend, when seven fatal crashes claimed the lives of 10 people.

Preliminary statistics from this past weekend showed in eight fatal crashes where seat belts were available, three people were not wearing them. In addition, there were five fatal crashes involving a motorcycle where three riders were not wearing helmets. 

OSHP troopers also investigated 575 crashes, issued 1,722 distracted driving citations, cited 2,195 drivers for safety belt violations and removed 387 impaired drivers from roadways across Ohio during the four day period.