This Memorial Weekend More Deadly Than Last: Police

MICHIGAN — It was a deadly weekend this Memorial Day holiday, according to Michigan State Police, whose reports indicate that a total of 15 people in Michigan lost their lives in 11 separate traffic crashes from Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28. That’s an increase compared to last year’s 2017 Memorial Day holiday weekend, where 10 people lost their lives in 10 crashes over the course of the weekend.

In the 15 deadly crashes, preliminary investigations by police have concluded that:

• Restraints were not used in one and unknown in four.
• Alcohol use was a known factor in two of the deadly crashes.
• Five involved motorcycles; a helmet was worn in two and it is unknown if a helmet was used in three.
• One victim was a pedestrian.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the Michigan State Police as of 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 29,” stated Spl/F/Lt. Jim Flegel, MSP traffic safety specialist. “We continue to urge motorists to always use proper restraints and to make responsible driving decisions. Never operate a vehicle while impaired on alcohol or drugs and avoid all distractions.”

The 2018 Memorial Day holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 25, through 11:59 p.m. on
Monday, May 28, 2018.

Image via Michigan State Police