18 Killed In Georgia Crashes During July 4 Travel Period

GEORGIA — Eighteen people were killed in crashes during the Fourth of July travel period that started at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, the Georgia Department of Public Safety said Thursday.

Georgia State Patrol troopers investigated nine fatal crashes in Athens, Blue Ridge, Atlanta, LaGrange, Villa Rica, Newnan, Thomaston and Milledgeville. Two fatal accidents were investigated in Villa Rica.

Locally, public safety officials said the Atlanta, DeKalb County and Dougherty County police departments responded to two fatal crashes each; meanwhile, the Glynn County Police Department, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office each investigated one fatal crash.

At least 500 accidents resulted in more than 260 injuries statewide over the holiday travel period, public safety officials said. Additionally, troopers and officers with the Motor Carrier Compliance Division made 20,989 traffic stops and issued more than 12,300 citations and over 15,000 warnings.