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Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2002
in the Florida Times Union

Highway Patrol says 32 people died in crashes over weekend

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Thirty-two people died in car crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend from Friday through Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday.

The deaths occurred in 24 separate crashes. The Highway Patrol said three of the crashes were known to be alcohol-related, while alcohol use was ruled out as a factor in seven of them. In the remaining 14, it still wasn't known Tuesday whether it was a factor or not.

Five of those killed were pedestrians and one was a motorcycle rider. The motocyclist, who was killed in an accident in St. Lucie County, wasn't wearing a helmet.

Officials said in 25 deaths where seat belts were available, only five victims were known to have been wearing them.