Highway Patrol: 14 People Killed in Ohio Thanksgiving Weekend

Fewer motorists were killed on Ohio's roads this Thanksgiving holiday, which impaired driving and drug arrests went up.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said 14 people were killed in traffic accidents from Wednesday through Friday, compared with 18 people last year and 20 in 2009.

This year’s reporting period was longer as it included the entire day before Thanksgiving while last year’s reporting began at 6 p.m. Wednesday. 

Impaired driving arrests increased more than 14 percent and drug arrests were up more than 37 percent when compared to last year’s holiday.

One incident in Preble County led to the seizure of about $800,000 in cash. Troopers stopped a motor home on Thanksgiving, and due to unusual circumstances, called in the Drug Enforcment Administration to help, leading to the discovery of the cash. An investigation is continuing.

“We are encouraged by the reduction of fatalities and the increase in the arrests of criminals using our highways to carry out their crimes,” said Colonel John Born, Patrol superintendent, said in a news release.

A complete statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday weekend is available at statepatrol.ohio.gov.