FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 27, 2001
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

FATALITY REPORT: DPS REPORTS 10 KILLED

ON SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAYS DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of 10 people killed on South Carolina highways from Friday, December 21, at 6 p.m. until Tuesday, December 25, at midnight.

Four people died as a result of the car leaving the road or striking another vehicle and then overturning. Three people were ejected as a result. Three people died when their vehicles struck a tree. Two pedestrians, including a 10-year-old boy in Richland County, were struck and killed. And a 7-year-old girl died in a head-on collision.

As of December 26, 1,017 people had died on South Carolina highways, compared to 1,044 last year at this time. Last year, which was a three-day weekend, 10 people were killed. The last comparable counting period for Christmas weekend was in 1997 when 13 people were killed.

Interstates 2
US routes, SC routes and secondary roads 8
Seat belts used 1
Seat belts not used 7
Seat belt usage not applicable 2

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SI/161/2001

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