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

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


News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Jason M. Pace
417-895-6868
D012015
January 05, 2015

EMPHASIS: Troop D Reports Year-End Totals, Including A Reduction In Fatalities From 2013 To 2014


Captain Juan Villanueva, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, announces the traffic crash and DWI enforcement totals for both the Christmas and New Year's counting periods. During the Christmas counting period, which began at 6 p.m., Wednesday, December 24, 2014, and ended at 11:39 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2014, Troop D officers investigated 60 traffic crashes that resulted in 23 injuries. Troop D reports one fatal crash during this counting period, investigated by the Springfield Police Department. Troop D also reports that Troopers made 10 arrests for DWI during this counting period in 2014.

The 2015 New Year’s counting period began 6 p.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2014, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2015. Statewide, Troopers investigated 344 traffic crashes with 116 injuries and nine fatalities. Specifically in Troop D, officers investigated 69 crashes that resulted in 24 injuries and no fatalities. During that time, Troop D officers made 10 arrests for DWI.

Captain Villanueva is proud to announce that based on preliminary statistics, there were ten fewer fatalities in the Troop D area reported in 2014 than occurred in 2013. Enforcement efforts, along with the efforts of drivers in our state, combined with the safety enhancements to vehicles and highways, helped make this reduction possible. This represents just over a 9% decrease. That is 10 more people that were able to celebrate the holidays with their families.

Captain Villanueva would like to encourage everyone to make a resolution for the new year that involves courteous and safe driving, as we work together to make our highways safer.

In support of "The Drive To ZERO Highway Deaths," the Patrol encourages motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. 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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