This year’s Thanksgiving holiday saw a decrease in the overall number of crashes but an increase in driving while intoxicated arrests and injuries.
The number of traffic crashes in Missouri during the Thanksgiving holiday has reduced since last year.
The fatalities due to the crashes have decreased from four in 2011 to one this year.
The total number of crashes this year was 350 compared to last year’s 365, according to a news release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
“The crashes were not concentrated in any one area,” Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. J. Tim Hull said. “They were spread throughout the state.”
There were 140 arrests made for people driving while intoxicated. The number of injuries as a result of the crashes was also 140.
There were 126 arrests made in 2011. The number of injuries as a result of those crashes was 125. P
The single fatal accident this year involved Austin C. Turner, 19, of Golden and an unidentified 17-year-old male passenger.
The crash occurred Wednesday in Barry County on Route J west of Golden.
The vehicle, driven by Turner, ran off the left side of the road, struck a tree and burned. He was not wearing a seat belt, but the passenger, who sustained minor injuries, was buckled.
Barry County assistant coroner Charles McManus pronounced Turner dead on the scene.
Because lab reports are not yet available, authorities do not know whether Turner was driving under the influence.
The counting period for the holiday was from 6 p.m. Nov. 21 to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 25.