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Published: 2013-01-02 10:48:00
Updated: 2013-01-02 11:35:38

Posted: January 2

Five killed in three New Year's Day wrecks

North Carolina State Highway Patrol

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North Carolina State Highway Patrol
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Raleigh, N.C. — Five people died in three wrecks during the New Year's holiday enforcement period between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, state Highway Patrol officials said Wednesday. 

The number of deaths was up one from the same three-day stretch a year ago, authorities said, and two of the three fatal wrecks involved alcohol. A 27-year-old Turkey man died in Duplin County Tuesday after losing control of his car while traveling west on Morrison Road and hitting a utility pole. 

In Robeson County, a 25-year-old woman died after an all-terrain vehicle overturned on Pleasant Road.

Statewide, there were 846 fatal collisions on highways in 2012. In those wrecks, 899 people died, including 98 pedestrians, 15 bicyclists and 79 motorcyclists.

In total, 204 fatal collisions in 2012 involved the suspected use of alcohol, officials said.

Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

15 Comments


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Latest Comments
With all these deaths maybe there should be a movement to reduce six packs to a 3 pack and liquor to no larger than 12 ounces.
kermit60
January 3, 2013 3:15 p.m.
Nothing says that law enforcement isn't doing their job like statistics for traffic deaths.

Who knows? Next time it could be you or someone you love?
LocalYokel
January 3, 2013 12:55 p.m.
...and don't forget the people that were injured and had property damage.

Bad drivers cause a lot of grief for us. If want to prevent this grief then demand your police to do their jobs, enforce the law, and not go soft on traffic crimes.
LocalYokel
January 3, 2013 12:49 p.m.
Actually, JDA, it just said "... involved the suspected use of alcohol." Notice the actual words used were "use of" ... not "impairment by". I.e., there's a BIG difference between someone causing an accident who might have had a drink beforehand and someone whose driving abilities were truly impaired by alcohol (or drugs).
hpr641
January 3, 2013 11:29 a.m.
1 in 4 of these fatal crashes involved alcohol. When will people wake up and realize that you stand a huge chance of getting yourself killed or killing others when you drink and drive? I wish they had published some stats on the ages of the drunk drivers in those fatal crashes. People tend to think it's just these "young crazy kids" but I suspect a LOT of these people are well over 30! Wake up, people. Wake up! It just never ever ever makes sense to get behind the wheel after drinking. Call a friend - your friend will be thankful you did.
JDAmbrosio
January 3, 2013 10:39 a.m.
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