Pennsylvania state troopers investigate holiday weekend crashes that left 13 dead

Pennsylvania State Police had a busy Memorial Day weekend handling accident fatalities and injuries and a host of traffic violations.

During the four-day travel period, 13 people were killed and 294 were injured in car accidents, Commissioner Frank Noonan said today.

Noonan said that these numbers represent crashes investigated by state police and do not include numbers for crashes to which other law enforcement responded.

In comparison, 16 people died 290 were injured in 776 crashes where troopers responded last year during the Memorial Day travel period.

Five people who died in car accidents neglected the use of their seat belts and alcohol played a part in 83 of the crashes, including one of the fatalities.

More than 800 crashes during the travel period of Friday to Monday have been investigated, according to a press release issued by Pennsylvania State Police.

Troopers were also busy issuing other citations. More than 350 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence, 7,934 were issued speeding tickets, 708 people were cited for not buckling up and 115 citations were issued to drivers for not securing children in child safety seats.