HOLIDAY TRAFFIC DEATHS: Limestone fatality among those reported

Published 5:30 am Thursday, January 4, 2018

Eight fewer people died in traffic crashes during the Christmas and New Year’s travel period in 2017 as compared to a year ago, troopers said Wednesday.

During the travel period, which spanned from 12:01 a.m. Dec. 16 to midnight Monday, Jan. 1, troopers investigated 23 traffic deaths in Autauga, Baldwin, Calhoun, Choctaw, Colbert, Coosa, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dallas, DeKalb, Escambia, Geneva, Limestone, Mobile, Russell, St. Clair, Shelby and Washington counties. Troopers did see five zero-fatality days during this holiday travel period, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Sixteen drivers, four passengers, two pedestrians and one bicyclist were killed. Of those who died in these traffic crashes, 20 were traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts, but 11 of them were not using them.

An Athens man, 42-year-old Robert O’Neal Jones, was killed early Saturday at about 5:30 a.m. while on his way to work in Decatur. Limestone Coroner Mike West said Jones was the lone occupant in the Ford Expedition that crashed on Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road. Jones was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

Fewer deaths in 2017

Troopers wrapped up 2017 with fewer traffic fatality investigations than the previous year. In 2017, Troopers investigated 598 traffic deaths, 73 fewer than 2016’s 671 traffic deaths. Troopers asked drivers to continue to drive responsibly and buckle up, obey speed limits, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs and avoid driving when distracted.