Traffic Incidents Steady This Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported eight deaths in traffic-related incidents in the 78-hour Christmas holiday counting period this year. The counting period began at 6 pm Thursday, December 23, and ended at 11:59 pm Sunday, December 26. 

The Highway Patrol investigated 310 traffic crashes that left 310 people injured this holiday season. The patrol also investigated 67 DWI incidents.

The nearest incident occurred at the exit for Shoal Creek Parkway on U.S. Highway 169 in Clay County. Officers with the Kansas City Police Department handled the investigation. Zachary M. Ward, 28, of Kansas City, MO, died when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving while taking an exit. The vehicle struck a guardrail, went off the roadway, traveled down an embankment, and overturned multiple times. Ward was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. 

Last year during the 78-hour Christmas counting period, there were 746 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, 10 people were killed and another 10 were injured. During the 2020 Christmas holiday, the Highway Patrol investigated 307 traffic crashes which included all 10 fatalities and 86 injuries. Troopers arrested 62 people for driving while impaired in 2020.

Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story