Preliminary data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says there were a handful of fatalities on Missouri’s roadways over the Christmas holiday weekend.

According to the patrol, five people died in traffic crashes during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 24, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 27.

In all, the patrol investigated 175 traffic crashes, which included 55 injuries and the five deaths. There also were 62 drivers arrested for Driving While Impaired.

Last year during the 30-hour Christmas counting period, there were 278 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, three people were killed and another 111 were injured. Troopers also arrested 20 people for Driving While Impaired.

There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2020 Christmas holiday counting period.

Two traffic fatalities occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit, area; one traffic fatality occurred in each of the Troop C, Weldon Spring, Troop F, Jefferson City, and Troop G, Willow Springs, areas.