Dyer County death adds to Dept. of Safety's holiday weekend statistics; fatality figure drops

One of the fatalities occurred in Dyer County when a man died as a result of injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle accident on Slaughter Pen Road.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert Moore said the man was traveling down Slaughter Pen Road on Sunday evening when his vehicle left the road and did a rollover. The man was ejected from the vehicle causing him to suffer fatal injuries.

Moore also said it is unknown at this time if alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.

The THP is conducting an investigation into the exact cause of the accident with Trooper Brian Pulley as the investigating officer.

The eight fatalities that occurred this year is a drop from the 11 fatalities that occurred during the 2008 July 4th holiday weekend.

"While these numbers are still preliminary, we are continuing to see a decline in the number of fatalities during holiday weekends and throughout the year," said Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. "There is no question that the hard work of State Troopers and our law enforcement partners across the state is paying off by saving lives."

During the 2009 July 4th holiday, which ran from 6 p.m., Thursday July 2 through midnight, Sunday July 5, there were eight fatal crashes that resulted in eight fatalities. Six of the people killed were vehicle occupants. One motorcyclist was killed. One pedestrian was killed. Two of the fatalities were alcohol-related compared to three alcohol-related fatalities in 2008.

"Despite the decline in the preliminary numbers, it is important to point out that four of the people who died over this July 4th weekend were not wearing their seat belt. That's two-thirds of the vehicle occupants that died," stated Tennessee Highway Patrol Col. Mike Walker. "More than 70 percent of the time in fatal crashes, wearing a seat belt makes a difference between life and death. These victims could still be here today if they had taken the time to follow the law."

The Tennessee Highway Patrol conducted more than 80 driver's license and sobriety checkpoints throughout the state during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The THP also teamed up with local law enforcement to conduct simultaneous saturation patrols on interstates and highways.

Preliminary statistics indicate 444 people have died on Tennessee roadways in 2009 compared to 512 fatalities in 2008. That is 68 fewer people killed this year compared to the same time last year. It is important to stress, however, that the statistical data for the July 4th holiday weekend and for 2009 are preliminary and are subject to change due to some delays in reporting.