Published on Wednesday, January 3, 2007
in the Naples Daily News

15 die on Florida highways during New Year's weekend

The Florida Highway Patrol investigated 15 deaths from 14 traffic accidents on Florida roadways over the three-day New Year’s weekend, but none of the deaths occurred in either Lee or Collier counties.

Of the 15 deaths, three are known to be alcohol-related, five are classified as non-alcohol-related, and six are classified as pending. Eight of the fatalities occurred at night, four were pedestrians and one was a moped rider who was not wearing a helmet.

More than half of the people killed in nine vehicles equipped with seat belts were not wearing them.

The 15 deaths occurred in Hillsborough, Osceola, Orange, Highlands, Desoto, Manatee, Duval, Nassau, Madison, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The FHP statistics do not include deaths investigated by other agencies.