Memorial Day travel shows more deadly crashes compared to last year

Not buckling up could have contributed to seven deaths during this holiday travel period so far.

The counting period ends on Monday at 11:59, but numbers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol show at least one more deadly crash has happened this year compared to last year’s holiday travel period.

ABC 17 has been tracking the crash numbers since Friday. In Mid-Missouri, Troop F of the highway patrol has handled at least 18 crashes. One of those crashes was deadly out of California, Mo.

“We’ve had seven fatalities through the counting period so far and none of them had been wearing seat belts,” said Corp. Scott Ballard with MSHP. “There’s a good likelihood that if they had been wearing their seat belts, while they may have been injured, they would have most likely survived the crash. There’s always the chance of impairment of the driver or another vehicle involved, lack of paying attention, or speed could have played a factor in any of the crashes.”

Troopers will continue to monitor major roadways every 20 miles until 10 p.m. on Monday.