Memorial Day Weekend Crashes Increase in 2022

Preliminary reports from the Missouri State Highway patrol indicate that this year’s Memorial Day weekend had more traffic incidences than last year’s holiday weekend.

Eleven people died in traffic crashes over the 2022 Memorial Day weekend counting period of 6 p.m., Friday, May 27, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 30, 2022.

Over the 2022 Memorial Day holiday weekend Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers investigated 304 Crashes, 115 traffic injuries, 9 of the 11 fatalities, 121 DWI incidences, and made 79 drug-related arrests. The Aurora/Marionville Police Department and the Florissant Police Department each investigated one traffic fatality, bringing the total traffic fatalities to 11 for the 2022 holiday weekend.

On Missouri’s rivers, lakes and waterways, troopers investigated 19 crashes, 13 injuries, 1 drowning, and 6 boating while intoxicated incidences.

Vehicle crashes and injuries increased during this holiday’s counting period. During the 2021 counting period, the Patrol investigated 258 traffic crashes, which included 84 injuries and four of the 10 fatalities.

Also, over the 2021 Memorial Day holiday: Marine operations troopers investigated 12 boating crashes, which included one fatality and three injuries. Troopers made 57 driving while intoxicated arrests and eight boating while intoxicated arrests. One person drowned over the 2021 Memorial Day holiday.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story