Holiday weekend fatalities down from 2014

MONTGOMERY, Ala.—During the Fourth of July holiday travel period, which began at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and ran through midnight Sunday, July 5, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) investigated four traffic fatalities and three boating fatalities.

“One traffic or boating death is one too many,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier said. “While the holiday weekend is in the past, the summer is far from over, and we urge everyone to be cautious when driving or boating.”

The weekend’s fatal traffic crashes occurred in Butler, Madison, Pickens and Sumter counties. Three drivers and one pedestrian were killed. One of the three individuals who had access to seat belts was unrestrained.

During the same 72-hour holiday period, Alabama State Troopers assigned to Marine Patrol investigated boating fatalities in Limestone, Lauderdale and Colbert counties. None of the individuals killed were wearing a life jacket.

In 2014, the travel period was 78 hours, and Troopers assigned to Highway Patrol and other divisions investigated 10 traffic fatalities, while Troopers assigned to Marine Patrol investigated one boating fatality. Nothing further is available at this time. Traffic and boating enforcement statistics, however, will be released later in the week.