FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2002
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

FATALITY REPORT: DPS REPORTS 13 KILLED
ON SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAYS NOVEMBER 22-24

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of 13 people killed on South Carolina highways from Friday, November 22, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, November 24, at midnight.

Two pedestrians were struck and killed. Two motorcyclists died in separate collisions when they ran off the road and crashed. Another motorist died after swerving to avoid an animal and flipping an estimated eight times. A mixture of alcohol and speed claimed the lives of at least four people in four separate collisions. The other four people died when the vehicle ran off the road and either overturned or struck another object.

As of November 25, 918 people had died on South Carolina highways, compared to 967 last year at this time. Of the 736 motor vehicle occupants who have died so far this year, 521 were not wearing seat belts.

Interstates	2
US routes, SC routes and secondary roads	11
Seat belt used	2
Seat belt not used	7
Seat belt n/a	4 (2 pedestrians, 2 motorcyclists)

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Criminal Justice Academy, Division of Motor Vehicles, Highway Patrol, Office of Highway Safety, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services and Office of Justice Programs. DPS has more than 2,600 employees in offices statewide. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.

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SG/139/2002

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