MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop D Headquarters, 3131 East Kearney, Springfield, Missouri 65803


News Release

For further information please contact: Corporal John H. Lueckenhoff
417-359-1500, Ext. 4560
DS762015
July 6, 2015

EMPHASIS: Troop D -- Results Of July Fourth Holiday Counting Period, Sobriety Checkpoint, And DWI Saturation


Captain Juan Villanueva, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, announces the results of the 2015 July Fourth holiday counting period, including the results of a sobriety checkpoint conducted in Christian County, and a driving while intoxicated saturation in McDonald County. During the holiday period, troopers participated in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), and also conducted a 20-Mile Trooper operation on Interstate 44.

Statewide, 10 people died in traffic crashes during the 2015 July Fourth holiday counting period. There were zero fatal boating crashes, and zero drownings. The counting period began at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 2015, and ended at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 5, 2015. The Missouri State Highway Patrol worked 305 traffic crashes in which 10 people died and 140 were injured. Troopers arrested 127 people for driving while intoxicated. Troopers investigated six boating crashes which included four injuries, and arrested 17 for boating while intoxicated. Specifically, Troop D officers investigated 59 traffic crashes, resulting in 38 injuries and four fatalities. Troopers also worked two boating crashes, resulting in one injury during this period. Troop D officers made 14 arrests for driving while intoxicated and four arrests for boating while intoxicated.

Last year, troopers worked 263 traffic crashes in which 121 were injured. There were six traffic fatalities during the 2014 July Fourth holiday. Troopers arrested 142 people for driving while intoxicated in 2014. Boating statistics for the 2014 July Fourth holiday included 26 boating crashes, three fatalities, 17 injuries, one drowning, and 13 arrests for boating while intoxicated.

Troopers conducting the Christian County sobriety checkpoint stopped 424 vehicles. The following is a list of the enforcement contacts made during the operation:

Driving While Intoxicated Arrests -- 2
Seat Belt Violations -- 4
Child Restraint Violation -- 1
Driving While Suspended/Revoked or No Driver License -- 4
Insurance Violation -- 1
Hazardous Moving Violation -- 1
Non-Moving Violations -- 2
Warnings -- 28

Troopers conducting the McDonald County driving while intoxicated saturation stopped 37 vehicles. The following is a list of enforcement contacts made during the operation:

Driving While Intoxicated Arrests -- 3
Exceeding The Posted Speed Limit Offenses -- 7
Seat Belt Violations -- 9
Driving While Revoked or No Driver License -- 3
Child Restraint Violation -- 1
Insurance Violations -- 2
Warrant Arrests -- 5
Warnings -- 43

Approximately 63 percent of Missouri fatal crash victims who are required to be restrained are NOT at the time of the traffic crash. The Patrol urges motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Join us in supporting the Drive To Zero Highway Deaths. Watercraft operators should ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!

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