Four Die in Traffic Crashes this Thanksgiving Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports four people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period--from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 26, 2023. There were no boating crashes or drownings.

During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers report the following traffic statistics for 2023 (preliminary):

431 crashes, 138 injuries, 4 fatalities, 103 DWI arrests, and 10 Drug arrests.

During the 2022 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 414 traffic crashes, which included eight fatalities and 115 injuries. Statewide, 9 people died, and 482 people were injured in 1,355 traffic crashes over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers arrested 113 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2022 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.

Troopers investigated all four of the traffic crash fatalities in 2023. Two of the traffic fatalities occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit, MO, area; and two traffic fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, MO, area.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story