Holiday Weekend Traffic Deaths Running Higher Than Last Year
The California Highway Patrol reported four traffic fatalities in Los Angeles County and 32 fatalities statewide through 6 a.m. Sunday, before most Memorial Day weekend travelers began their drive home.
The highway death toll was running higher than last year’s Memorial Day holiday. No traffic fatalities were reported in Los Angeles County, and 23 highway deaths were tallied statewide during the same 60-hour period last year, from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Sunday.
CHP Officer Frank Sansone said it would be hard to speculate on reasons for the increase until analysts can review all the incidents.
But he noted that drunk driving arrests were running about the same as last year.
The CHP arrested 293 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Los Angeles County, compared with 317 such arrests for the same period last year, he said.
Statewide, the CHP made 1,348 drunk driving arrests, compared with 1,349 last year.
The CHP will release final Memorial Day weekend numbers this morning.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
