ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia’s Memorial Day holiday travel death toll continued to climb as millions of travelers headed home from the busy holiday weekend.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety reported Monday evening that two more fatal crashes were investigated on Memorial Day, bringing the statewide holiday traffic death toll to 11.
The 78-hour Memorial Day holiday travel period began at 6 p.m. Friday, May 22, and ended at midnight Monday, May 25.
Fatal crashes
Among the fatalities was a 51-year-old Atlanta woman who was killed when she was hit by a car that wrecked at a gas station while fleeing from a traffic stop, according to authorities.
State troopers also investigated a two-vehicle crash that killed one person on Sparta Highway in Putnam County and in Clayton County, a single-vehicle wreck on I-285 West at I-75 left one person dead.
In East Georgia’s Burke County, three people died Saturday when a tree fell on top of their vehicle on Highway 56 South. According to WRDW in Augusta, a large tree fell across both lanes and struck two cars. The Burke County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as James K. Walker, 65; his son, Kencerio D. Walker, 18; and Nykeria Johnson, 18.
Swainsboro High School officials said Kencerio Walker and Johnson were members of the Class of 2026. James Walker was a former employee of Swainsboro High School. A candlelight vigil for the victims is planned for later this week.
Elsewhere in Georgia, fatal crashes were also reported in Bartow, Douglas, Bibb, Newton, and Walton counties.
Increased patrols statewide
With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer travel, state and local law enforcement officials stepped up patrols across the state during the long holiday weekend.
State troopers investigated 235 crashes resulting in 134 injuries and 11 deaths. They arrested 235 people for driving under the influence.
During last year’s Memorial Day holiday, Georgia recorded six traffic deaths and 400 DUI arrests.
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