FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2002\
CONTACT: Sid Gaulden, 803-896-8755
FATALITY REPORT: DPS REPORTS NINE KILLED
ON SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAYS DECEMBER 20-22
COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of nine people killed on South Carolina highways from Friday, December 20, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, December 22, at midnight, including an 8-year-old child who was riding unbuckled.
Four people were killed in separate collisions where the vehicle overturned. Three people were killed when their vehicles struck an object such as a pole or tree. One pedestrian was struck and killed. And one person died when two vehicles collided.
As of December 22, 1,008 people had died on South Carolina highways, compared to 1,044 last year at this time. Of the 813 motor vehicle occupants who have died so far this year, 573 were not wearing seat belts.
| Interstates | 0 |
| US routes, SC routes and secondary roads | 9 |
| Seat belt used | 2 |
| Seat belt not used | 6 |
| Seat belt usage not applicable | 1 |
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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