Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the Christmas holiday counting period:
Three people died in traffic crashes during the 30-hour counting period, which began at 6:00 PM Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and ended at 11:59 PM Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
2024 Christmas Holiday Traffic Statistics
Troopers investigated the following:
Traffic Crashes — 65
Traffic Crash Injuries —
38
Traffic Crash Fatalities —
3
DWI — 17
[Note: Last year during the 78-hour Christmas counting period, there were 1,034 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, three people were killed and another 346 were injured. During the 2023 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 124 traffic crashes which included 2 fatalities and 71 injuries. Troopers arrested 81 people for driving while impaired during the 2023 counting period.]
There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2024 Christmas holiday counting period.
The three fatalities occurred on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. A 28-year-old female of Valley Mines, MO, died when the vehicle she driving traveled off the left side of the road and struck a tree. She was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Two male occupants, age four and six, also died in the crash. Both were restrained by a safety device. The crash occurred on Route OO, south of Route F, in St. Francois County. The driver was pronounced at the scene by the St. Francois County Coroner. The six-year-old male was pronounced at Parkland Health Center in Farmington. The four-year-old male was pronounced at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
There were no traffic fatalities on Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatalities after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic/boating/drowning incident.
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Bring In The New Year Safely
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration.
No one wants to start 2025 with a traffic crash or DWI arrest. During the 2023 - 2024 New Year’s period, nine people were killed and 293 injured in 821 traffic crashes in Missouri.
The 2024 - 2025 New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6:00 PM Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and ends at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, please designate a sober driver or utilize a ride share service or taxi to ensure you arrive home safely. The roadway is no place for a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life.
If you plan to travel this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. Remember: Missouri is now a hands-free state. Pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and when in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Be sure to use your turn signal to communicate your intentions. The posted speed limit reflects the roadway's classification and is not a suggestion! Download the MoDOT Traveler Information app to your smart phone, and check road conditions before you travel. Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on.
The public is encouraged to call the Patrol's Emergency Assistance Number (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency. These emergency numbers are operational for both highway and water emergencies. We're here to help.
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