18 Killed In 16 Crashes Across Georgia During New Year's

GEORGIA — Eighteen people died in 16 wrecks while traveling for the New Year's holiday, according to the Department of Public Safety Thursday.

Public safety officials monitored crashes from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2.

Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol responded to nine fatal crashes, which killed nine people, while local law-enforcement agencies responded to the remainder of the crashes.

Agencies included the Clayton County Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department, Glynn County Police Department, Gwinnett County Police Department, Hampton Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, according to public safety officials.

Additionally, more than 200 people were injured in crashes and more than 330 people were arrested for driving under the influence. More than 7,000 citations and more than 8,500 warnings were issued, according to public safety officials.

"This year’s fatal crashes slightly increased from the 2021 New Year’s Day travel period when 16 deaths stemmed from 14 fatal crashes. Currently, it is too soon to determine why the number of fatalities and fatality crashes rose this year; however, troopers heavily patrol the roadways during the New Year’s Day travel period, with the goal of reducing fatalities," public safety officials said in a news release.

The weather, the number of drivers and the economy were factors in the fatality and crash numbers, according to the department.