COLUMBUS, Ohio — According to provisional statistics, nine people were killed on Ohio’s roadways this Thanksgiving holiday.

During the five-day reporting period, from Wednesday, Nov. 25 at midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29, nine people were killed in nine fatal crashes. In 2019, there were 15 fatal crashes in which 18 people were killed.

Of the nine killed, two were pedestrians, four were not wearing a seat belt and two involved impaired driving.

Troopers arrested 298 people for operating a vehicle while impaired and 193 for drugs. Troopers also issued 944 safety belt and 146 distracted driving violations. Throughout the holiday reporting period, troopers also assisted 2,135 motorists.

Statewide, there were 17,929 Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) incidents over Thanksgiving weekend. Preble County had just 98 OSHP incidents from Nov. 25 to Nov. 29.

A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available at https://rb.gy/5vr82d.