Nineteen Die On Kentucky Roadways

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Preliminary statistics* indicate that 19 people died in 19 separate crashes on Kentucky’s roadways from Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, through Sunday, August 13, 2006.

Preliminary data indicates that alcohol was a factor in three of the crashes. Sixteen of the crashes involved motor vehicles and three involved motorcycles. Ten of the 16 motor vehicle victims were not wearing seat belts and the seatbelt status of one of the victims is unknown. Two of the three motorcycle victims were not wearing helmets.

Two motor vehicle crashes occurred in Floyd County and two in Laurel County. The remaining 12 motor vehicle crashes occurred in Boone, Campbell, Daviess, Estill, Garrard, Jefferson, Jessamine, Lincoln, McCracken, McCreary, Powell and Rockcastle counties. Two motorcycle crashes occurred in Madison County and one in Ballard County.

Through August 13, 2006, a total of 538 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways. This is 26 fewer than those reported for this time period in 2005. Of the 538 fatalities, 29 were pedestrians and 54 were motorcyclists, 33 of whom were not wearing helmets. There were six ATV crash victims, none of whom were wearing helmets. There was one bicycle victim. Of the 448 motor vehicle fatalities, 285 victims were not wearing seatbelts and the seatbelt status of 32 of the victims is not known.