One Killed During Easter Holiday Accidents in Pennsylvania

209 Injured in 628 Crashes Investigated by Pennsylvania State Police

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One person was killed and 209 others were injured in 628 crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police during the three-day Easter holiday driving period, said Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller today.

"Although the total number of crashes increased compared to the Easter holiday driving period last year, the number of fatalities and injuries dropped," Miller said. "I hope that result reflects increased use of seat belts by drivers and passengers on our roads."

Miller said snow and icy roads in some parts of the state over the weekend may have accounted for the increase in the total number of crashes compared to last year. He said alcohol played a role in 74 of the crashes this year. Last year, 72 of the crashes were alcohol-related, he said.

The official three-day Easter driving period covered Friday, April 6, through Sunday, April 8. During that period, state police issued 2,987 speeding citations, charged 236 people with driving under the influence, cited 187 for not wearing seatbelts and issued citations to 27 motorists for not securing children in safety seats.

During last year's Easter holiday driving period, which covered April 14 through April 16, six people were killed and 235 others were injured in 552 crashes investigated by state police.

Miller said the numbers cover only those crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, and do not include statistics on incidents to which other law-enforcement agencies responded.