Six killed on SC Highways over Holiday Weekend

Six people were killed on South Carolina highways over the long 4th of July holiday weekend.  The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces the deaths occurred on state roadways from Wednesday, July 3, at 6pm until Sunday, July 7, at midnight. The six traffic deaths were during a 102-hour reporting period, compared to five fatalities reported during a 30-hour period in 2012.  As of July 7, 350 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 434 highway deaths in this same time period in 2012. Oconee County has experienced one highway fatality in 2013 compared to eight in 2012 at this same time.  Pickens County reports eight in 2013 and ten in 2012, while Anderson County lists 14 in 2013 and 22 in 2012.  Of the 244 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2013, 147 were not wearing seat belts.  Through midnight July 7, 37 pedestrians, 54 motorcyclists and 6 bicyclists have died on state roads and highways. These numbers are preliminary and are based on fatal collisions compiled by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety as of midnight July 7, 2013.