FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2002
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of nine people killed on South Carolina highways from Friday, May 31, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, June 2, at midnight.

Alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in six of the nine fatal collisions. Not one of the seven vehicle occupants who died on South Carolina roads and highways over the weekend was belted.

A 19-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child died Sunday, June 2 at 4:58 p.m., when a vehicle ran a signal light on U.S. 76 in Florence. The driver of the vehicle who ran the signal light has been charged with felony DUI. On Saturday, June 1, at 9:59 p.m., a Colleton county woman died when she was ejected from a vehicle and the vehicle rolled on top of her. Her brother-in-law has been charged with felony DUI. Alcohol also was a factor in the deaths of two motorcyclists, neither of whom was wearing a helmet.

As of June 2, 422 people had died on South Carolina highways, compared to 414 last year at this time; of the 343 vehicle passengers who have died so far this year, 238 were not wearing seat belts.

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SG/80/2002

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