June 2, 2004

East Lansing - The Michigan State Police confirmed today that preliminary reports indicate seven people lost their lives in seven separate traffic crashes during the 2004 Memorial Day holiday weekend. In comparison, 10 people died in traffic crashes during the 2003 Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Four of the seven victims were known to have been restrained by safety belts. Alcohol was a factor in three of the seven fatal crashes.

"These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the Michigan State Police as of noon today," stated Capt. Dan Smith, commander of the Special Operations Division, Michigan State Police. "The preliminary numbers show a decrease in fatalities from this same holiday period last year. This is a result of the increase in safety belt usage by motorists and indicates that the enhanced, cooperative holiday enforcement efforts throughout the state are paying off."

The 2004 Memorial Day holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 28, through midnight, Monday, May 31, 2004.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.