Nine die on Ohio roads during holiday weekend

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported nine fatalities this Fourth of July holiday weekend with six being operating vehicle impaired-related.

The reporting period began July 3 at 6 p.m. and ended Sunday at midnight. During that time, troopers arrested 692 impaired drivers and assisted 4,819 motorists.

Last year during the holiday reporting period of 1 1/4 days, 10 people were killed on Ohio roads, with six being OVI-related. State troopers arrested 294 impaired drivers, and assisted 3,332 motorists.

In addition to this year’s traffic enforcement efforts, the patrol had 32 felony arrests, 127 drug violations and seized five weapons statewide.