MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety

Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102

NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
122710
December 27, 2010
EMPHASIS: Patrol Reports Two Traffic Fatalities Over Christmas Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports two people died during the Christmas holiday counting period--from 6 p.m., Thursday, December 23, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 26, 2010. The Patrol investigated 487 traffic crashes, which included one of the fatalities and 122 injuries. The Lincoln (MO) Police Department investigated the second fatality. Troopers arrested 51 people for driving while intoxicated during this year’s Christmas holiday. During last year’s counting period, the Patrol investigated 494 traffic crashes, which included 11 fatalities and 148 injuries. Troopers arrested 42 people for driving while intoxicated over the 2009 Christmas holiday.

One fatality occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit area; the other fatality occurred in the Troop E, Poplar Bluff area.

Both fatalities occurred on Sunday, December 26, 2010. Catherine A. Binger, 49, of Wappapello, MO, died when the vehicle she was driving ran off the roadway and struck a tree. The crash occurred on Missouri Route W, 13 miles north of Poplar Bluff. Binger was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers pronounced Binger dead at the scene.

The second fatality occurred in Benton County on U.S. Highway 65 at Bullseye. No further details are available at this time.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to emphasize the decrease in crashes, injuries, and fatalities during the 2010 Christmas holiday counting period,” said Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Patrol. “Enforcement and education are two important factors in reducing the number of people killed and injured on Missouri’s roadways. The Patrol will continue to focus on both of these areas to make travel in our state safer. It is also important to note the number of driving while intoxicated arrests increased when comparing this year to last year. If you drink and drive, remember: The Patrol has zero tolerance for this bad decision. Taking impaired drivers off the road will save lives.”

The number of fatalities over a 78-hour Christmas holiday counting period has never been this few. Statistics such as these have been tracked since 1978, when the Patrol joined the Operation C.A.R.E. effort. During two years, 1996 and 2002, there were only one and two fatalities, respectively. However, those counting periods totaled only 30 hours.

Note: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release was sent out.
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