Col. Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provided the following preliminary statistics related to the New Year’s holiday weekend.
According to a news release, five people died and 59 were injured in 115 traffic crashes during the 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1. There were zero boating crashes and zero drownings over the 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period.
Troopers investigated 115 traffic crashes with 59 injuries and three fatalities. Troopers also arrested 139 people for driving while intoxicated.
During the 2023 New Year’s holiday counting period, six people were killed and 345 injured in 925 traffic crashes statewide. During last year’s New Year’s holiday, troopers worked 236 of those crashes, which included 81 injuries and two fatalities. Troopers arrested 105 people for driving while intoxicated last year.
This year, one traffic fatality occurred in each of the following areas: Troop C, Weldon Spring Area, Troop D, Springfield area, and Troop G, Willow Spring area. The Columbia Police Department and the Kansas City Police Department each worked one fatality crash.
One fatality occurred on Dec. 29, three occurred Dec. 30, one occurred Dec. 31, and no fatalities occurred on Jan. 1.
