19 Traffic Fatalities Reported in Georgia During Holiday Weekend

Nineteen people were killed and 263 people injured as a result of car accidents over the 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

The holiday travel period began at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21 and ended at midnight on Nov. 25. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) investigated 11 of the 19 fatal crashes and handled 622 traffic accidents in all.

Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor in four of the 11 traffic deaths investigated by troopers. Seven of the victims were not wearing seat belts. GSP also investigated one fatality involving a pedestrian.

"Almost all of the fatal crashes involved either speed, alcohol, or the victim failing to use a seat belt," GSP public information officer Gordy Wright said in a released statement.

The other eight fatal accidents were investigated by local law enforcement agencies.

In 2011, 18 people died in traffic accidents over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

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