While Fatal Crashes in Missouri Are Up, Jefferson County's Numbers Are Flat

The number of deaths caused by car crashes in Jefferson County is on pace to match last year's first-half total, notes Missouri State Highway Patrol's statistics.

That bucks the trend set by the rest of the state. The number of fatal crashes in Missouri is up by 62 compared to the first half of last year,  according to a June 25 highway patrol news release.

The increase follows six consecutive years of declining fatalities caused by crashes, the release notes. More than two-thirds of the fatalities involved people who weren't wearing a seat belt.

"Please give your full attention to driving. Follow all traffic laws, and remember that seat belts can and do save lives," stated Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in the news release.

So far, 10 crashes have led to 10 deaths in Jefferson County this year. That matches the pace set in 2011, and is nearly half the total recorded in 2010.

Two fatal crashes occurred in Arnold and another happened in the Jefferson County portion of the Fenton zip code.