The Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported the 2021 July Fourth holiday statistics.
According to a news release, troopers worked 312 traffic crashes, which included 124 injuries and all seven fatalities. Troopers also made 144 driving while intoxicated arrests and 81 drug arrests over the holiday weekend.
Troopers worked 12 boating crashes, which included four injuries and one fatality. Troopers made eight boating while intoxicated arrests and 43 drug arrests. There were no drownings over the holiday weekend.
The 2021 July Fourth holiday counting period began at 6 p.m. Friday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 5.
The 2020 July Fourth holiday counting period began at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2020. During the 2020 counting period, 15 people were killed and 671 injured statewide in Missouri in 1,356 traffic crashes. Troopers arrested 145 people for driving while intoxicated. Over the 2020 July Fourth holiday, there were 14 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and zero fatalities. Two drowned during last year's holiday. Troopers made seven boating while intoxicated arrests during the 2020 counting period.
The 2021 traffic fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, Troop D, Springfield, Troop F, Jefferson City, and Troop G, Willow Springs, areas. Troopers worked all seven traffic fatalities.
There was one traffic fatality on Friday, July 2 in Wright County.
There was one boating fatality on July 3. The investigation is pending.
Four people died in traffic crashes on July 3 in Jasper County, Jefferson County, Morgan County, and St. Francois County.
Jeffery A. Smith, 35, of Stover, died when a vehicle turned left in front of the motorcycle he was operating. Smith was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in Morgan County on Missouri Highway 52 west of Stevenson Lane. Deputy Coroner Katy Lutz pronounced Smith dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was not wearing a seat belt; he was not injured in the crash.
Two people died in traffic crashes on July 4 in Greene County and Dallas County.
