OHIO — The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 11 traffic fatalities over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, stemming from eight crashes across the state. Troopers responded to 766 crashes from midnight Wednesday through 11 p.m. Sunday, an 11% increase compared to the same period last year.
Fatal crashes were recorded in Marion, Montgomery, Franklin, Warren, Hamilton and Gallia counties. A triple-fatality collision occurred near the Fayette–Madison County line, and two men were struck and killed while walking on Interstate 475 South in Lucas County, according to patrol data.
While this year’s fatality total matched last year’s figure, it continued a downward trend from 2022, when 19 people died on Ohio roadways during the holiday weekend. Of the eight fatal crashes this year, at least three involved victims who were not wearing seat belts, three were pedestrian-related, and alcohol was suspected in two cases.
No fatalities were reported in Northeast Ohio, though the region faced severe weather on Thanksgiving. Wind gusts reached 45 to 50 mph, creating drifting snow and reduced visibility. Lake-effect snow persisted into Friday morning, with some parts of Cuyahoga County receiving more than 10 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Lorain County recorded the highest number of traffic incidents in Northeast Ohio, with troopers responding to 385 calls. Cuyahoga County reported 320 incidents, Summit County had 231, Lake County reported 75 and Geauga County had 74.
“Anytime we experience adverse weather our crashes rise, and our traffic stops decrease,” said Sgt. Jeremy Kindler, spokesman for the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “The weather plays a large role in troopers being more reactive than proactive.”
The Ohio Department of Transportation deployed between 60 and 70 snowplow trucks across Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties to keep highways clear, said ODOT spokesman Brent Kovacs. “Our goal is to make roads passable and safe,” Kovacs said. “We want to remind motorists to slow down when driving during snow emergencies and to allow extra room for other vehicles and snowplows.”
During the holiday period, troopers issued 287 citations for distracted driving and 462 for seat belt violations. Officers arrested 281 motorists on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired and cited 292 drivers for operating with a suspended license. Troopers also assisted 1,572 motorists statewide.
