SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois State Police reported today that 25 persons lost their lives in traffic crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. During the same period last year, there were 26 fatalities on Illinois highways.
This year’s 25 fatalities were the result of 21 fatal crashes. There were six fatal crashes on Wednesday, two on Thursday, three on Friday, five on Saturday, and five on Sunday. Nine of the fatal crashes occurred between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., and 12 occurred between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. Eighteen of the victims were male and seven were female.
The Illinois State Police issued more than 15,000 citations and written warnings over the five-day period, with 1,564 of those citations for seat belt violations and 95 for child restraint violations. In addition, state troopers made 144 DUI arrests and assisted more than 1,700 motorists in need. |