17 Killed, 348 Injured in Holiday Crashes Investigated by State Police

State police say the death toll on

Pennsylvania highways during the Thanksgiving holiday period was the highest in seven years.


In a statement Monday, state police say at least 17 people were killed in crashes during the five-day period that started Wednesday. Spokesman Jack Lewis said that's the most since 2003, when 19 lives were lost.

Last year, three deaths were reported.

Eleven of this year's victims were not wearing seat belts, and alcohol consumption was a factor in six of the fatal crashes.

Overall, state police reported 1,101 crashes during the holiday period.

The state police statistics exclude crashes handled by local police.