News Staff Report
Although there were four zero-fatality days — including Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve — Alabama Law Enforcement Agency state troopers investigated 22 traffic fatalities on Alabama roadways during the 13-day travel period, which lasted from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, to midnight Wednesday, Jan. 1
Among those killed was a 4-year-old, who died in an Etowah County crash. The others included 10 drivers, nine passengers and one pedestrian. One motorcyclist, who was using a helmet, also was killed.
Of the 20 individuals killed while traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts, 14 of them were not using seat belts or restraints. Four of those killed were using seat belts, and seat-belt usage is unknown for two of the individuals killed.
Fatal crashes occurred in Baldwin, Barbour, Cullman, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Henry, Lamar, Mobile, Pickens, Randolph, Russell and Tuscaloosa counties.
During the 2018 Christmas-New Year’s holiday travel period, a 17-day period from 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, to midnight Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, Troopers investigated 21 traffic deaths.
These totals are only for fatal traffic crashes investigated by troopers. Statewide numbers are not available.