Missouri sees increase in traffic deaths over 2026 Labor Day weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that more traffic deaths occurred this Labor Day weekend than last year.

Eight people died on state roads between 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday. Last year during the same time period, six people died in total, with MSHP investigating four, MSHP wrote in a Tuesday press release.

This year, MSHP investigated 213 crashes where 82 people were injured and eight died, the release says. There were 123 arrests for driving while intoxicated. Last year, the patrol investigating 252 crashes, 123 injuries and four fatalities. Statewide last year, six people died and 423 people were injured in 931 crashes.

During this past weekend, one person was injured in the nine boating crashes that were investigated, the release says. Five boating while intoxicated arrests were made.