FATALITY REPORT: DPS REPORTS EIGHT KILLED

ON SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAYS, MARCH 13-15, 2009

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of eight people being killed on South Carolina highways from Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m. until Sunday, March 15, at midnight.

Seven of the eight fatal collisions that happened over the weekend involved single vehicle crashes, where the drivers ran off the road and collided with trees.

As of March 15, 2009, 166 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 185 in 2008. Of the 143 motor vehicle occupants who died in 2009, 94 were not wearing seat belts.

Through midnight March 15 of this year, 13 pedestrians and eight motorcyclists have died on state roads and highways.

The remaining fatalities are the result of collisions involving an assortment of non-motorized vehicles.

Interstates	1
US routes, SC routes and secondary roads	7
Seat belt used	1
Seat belt not used	6
Seat belt unknown	1
Seat belt not applicable	0

Editor’s note: These numbers are preliminary and are based on fatal collisions reported to the South Carolina Highway Patrol and by the media as of midnight March 15, 2009.

For specific details on fatalities, including locations, you may access them at https://www.schponline.com/Media/Fatalities.asp. This site is for media use only. Please do not publicize this site because the information is preliminary and is meant to be used as a guide. For confirmation on fatality information, please contact the county coroner’s office.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, Office of Highway Safety, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services and Office of Justice Programs. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.

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