Skip to main content
Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

Fewer people died in traffic crashes than usual during July 4 holiday

Emergency workers are at the scene of an accident between a pickup truck and a tanker truck at the intersection of 25th and South Broad Streets in Chattanooga. The driver of the pickup was able to crawl out of his vehicle, suffering only minor injuries.
Emergency workers are at the scene of an accident between a pickup truck and a tanker truck at the intersection of 25th and South Broad Streets in Chattanooga. The driver of the pickup was able to crawl out of his vehicle, suffering only minor injuries. Emergency workers are at the scene of an accident between a pickup truck and a tanker truck at the intersection of 25th and South Broad Streets in Chattanooga. The driver of the pickup was able to crawl out of his vehicle, suffering only minor injuries.

By Andy Sher 2 min read

photo One person died and eight were injured after a crash in an Oak Ridge parking lot July 4.

NASHVILLE – Preliminary figures show fewer people were killed in Tennessee traffic crashes during last weekend’s July 4 holiday than last year, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced Wednesday.

Five people died over the 72-hour period this year versus 12 vehicular deaths last year, the department said in a news release.

If the preliminary figures hold, this year’s fatalities would rank as one of the lowest levels of traffic deaths on records during the Fourth of July holiday period.

In 2011, eight people died in traffic crashes in Tennessee during a 96-hour Fourth of July period. The highest number of vehicular fatalities occurred during the July 4th holiday period in 1996, when 27 people were killed in traffic crashes.

This year, officials say three vehicle occupants, one motorcyclist and one pedestrian died. One of the fatalities was alcohol related; another was not wearing a seat belt.