COLUMBUS, OH (WTOL) - The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting eight people lost their lives in four traffic crashes during the July Fourth reporting period, which began Tuesday, and ended Wednesday. Impairment was determined to be a factor in at least one of those crashes.
While it didn't have a fatal crash, Lucas County had the second-highest number of incidents in the state over the reporting period. Lucas County had 836, topped only by Franklin County with 2,246.
Montgomery County had one fatality, Allen and Franklin counties had two each, and Ross County had three.
Troopers made 296 arrests for impaired driving and 276 for drug-related charges. The patrol responded to 297 crashes and made nearly 19,000 traffic contacts in total, which included assisting more than 2,000 motorists.
"When someone chooses to drive impaired the consequences can be deadly," said Colonel Paul A. Pride, patrol superintendent. "That's why troopers make OVI enforcement a priority, whether they're patrolling during a holiday weekend or any time of day. Motorists should always pre plan a sober way home."
During last year's Fourth of July reporting period from June 30 to July 4, there were a total of 21 fatal crashes that killed 21 people. This included eight OVI-related fatal crashes that killed eight people.
Motorists are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers or drug activity.
A complete breakdown and statewide map of patrol activity is available here.
