Crashes, injuries on Missouri highways down this Labor Day weekend
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The number of crashes and injuries on Missouri's highways over the long holiday weekend fell compared to last year, the highway patrol reported Tuesday.
Troopers investigated 276 crashes statewide this year, according to preliminary holiday counting period numbers released by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The counting period began at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday.
The patrol said the crashes resulted in 97 injuries. Four people were killed and troopers made 113 DWI and 55 drug arrests. Troopers worked seven boat crashes with three injuries, including one drowning.
The patrol investigated 318 crashes during last year's counting period with 121 injuries and six deaths.
Two of this year's crash deaths happened in Morgan County. A 25-year-old Versailles man died Friday when another vehicle hit his vehicle head-on on Highway 5. A 3-year-old from Rocky Mount died Saturday when the vehicle he was riding in went off the road, hit a sign and overturned. Troopers say the child was not in an "age-appropriate child restraint."
The driver in that crash, Larry Lunnin of Rocky Mount, has been charged with crimes including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and child abduction.
Troop F, which covers Central Missouri, investigated 34 crashes with 12 injuries and the two Morgan County deaths.
