Police: 5 Deadly Crashes Over July 4th Weekend, 1 Involving Alcohol
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Michigan State Police say five people lost their lives in separate traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Police say the preliminary numbers are down from the same period last year, when 12 people died in 11 crashes.
Four of the fatal crashes happened on July 3. A driver was killed in Van Buren County, a motorcyclist was killed in Washtenaw County, a bicyclist was killed in Oakland County and a passenger was killed in Wayne County.
The fifth fatality happened on July 4, and police say alcohol was involved. That incident occurred in Antrim County, when a person riding an off-road vehicle was killed.
Other circumstances surrounding each accident weren't released.
"Throughout the summer months, troopers will continue to be on the lookout for motorists who are unbelted and exhibiting dangerous driving behaviors," Lt. Jim Flegel said in a statement. "Our goal is to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries on Michigan roads."
The 2015 Fourth of July holiday weekend period ran from 6 p.m. July 2 through 11:59 p.m. July 5.
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