Seven killed on Ohio roadways over New Year’s holiday

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting that seven people were killed in six crashes over the New Year’s holiday.

According to the Patrol, of the seven fatalities, five of those killed were not wearing an available safety belt.

The Patrol added that this is a decrease from New Year’s last year when 13 fatalities were reported.

Also during the reporting weekend, according to the Patrol, troopers made 3,259 traffic enforcement contacts; including 272 OVI arrests, 106 distracted driving citations, and 409 safety belt citations.

The four-day reporting period began at midnight on Friday, December 29, 2023, and ran through 11:59 PM on Monday, January 1, 2024.