FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2001

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of eight people killed on South Carolina highways from Friday, June 8, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, June 10, at midnight.

Two pedestrians were struck and killed in separate collisions in Horry County. One bicyclist was struck and killed in Florence County. The driver in that collision has been charged with one count of felony DUI. Five people died in four separate single-vehicle collisions. In those collisions, the vehicles overturned and/or struck a tree. The driver in one of those collisions, which involved a double fatality, has been charged with two counts of felony DUI. None of the motor vehicle occupants killed was wearing a seat belt.

As of June 10, 390 people had died on South Carolina highways, compared to 484 last year at this time.

Interstates 0

US routes, SC routes and secondary roads 8

Seat belts used 0

Seat belts not used 5

Seat belt usage not applicable 3 (2 pedestrians, 1 bicyclist)

Editor’s note: These numbers are preliminary and are based on fatal collisions reported to the South Carolina Highway Patrol as of June 10, 2001. For more information on any of the fatalities, please contact us. Also, the DPS web site address has changed to www.scdps.org. Please bookmark this address and visit the web site often. You will find the latest DPS news there as well as information about the various DPS divisions and their diverse responsibilities.

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