Authorities monitor roadways during Thanksgiving holiday
Since the Missouri State Highway Patrol Thanksgiving holiday crash counting period began Wednesday at 6 p.m., there have been 14 vehicle crashes statewide.
"I've always known like its been dangerous like traveling the holidays like this because like there's so many cars on the road like traveling like all over all over the places and plus with the weather like this like its cold but not snowing or anything like that so I guess for like everyone that's traveling be careful," said Malik Johnson, who is traveling to Sedalia.
Traffic crashes claimed nine lives on Missouri roadways during the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.
"It's not too bad, it's just rainy and cold but you need to be precautious and safe," said Davina Rowe, who is traveling around Columbia. "Pay attention, look out for others, a lot of times you're not just driving for yourself, you're looking out for yourself and others so be careful."
According to a release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, during the counting period of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, the patrol investigated 587 traffic crashes, which included 108 injuries and the nine fatalities. Troopers also arrested 86 people for driving while intoxicated and made 67 drug arrests.
Of the nine traffic-crash fatalities investigated by the Patrol, four occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring area and one in each of the Troop G, Willow Springs area; Troop F, Jefferson City area; Troop D, Springfield area; Troop A, Lee’s Summit area; and Troop H, St. Joseph area.
"I planned on going to St. Louis but I changed my mind because of the road conditions," said Greg Beck, who canceled his plans to travel. "Slow down, just slow down be patient, slow down, where you going is going to be there when you get there."
In 2017, 17 people were killed and 555 were injured over the holiday in 1,364 traffic crashes, with 127 DWI arrests.
Stay with ABC 17 News for more information on this developing story.
