12 killed, 222 injured in Georgia crashes

Georgia authorities said 12 people were killed and 222 injured in crashes during the state’s Memorial Day holiday travel period, according to a Georgia Department of Public Safety release issued May 29. The agency said the toll covered a 78-hour enforcement and travel window tied to the holiday weekend. Georgia State Patrol troopers investigated five fatal traffic crashes, while local law enforcement agencies investigated seven more, the release said. Statewide, authorities said 355 traffic crashes were investigated during the period. ### When did Georgia count these crashes? The Georgia Department of Public Safety said the Memorial Day holiday travel period lasted 78 hours. The agency’s earlier holiday advisory said the period began at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 22, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 25. The final crash and enforcement totals were released on May 29. (dps.georgia.gov) The May 29 release described the numbers as statewide totals compiled after the holiday weekend. Georgia State Patrol and local law enforcement both contributed to the fatality count, according to the department. ### Where did the fatal crashes happen? 11Alive, citing Georgia State Patrol, reported that fatal accidents over the holiday weekend occurred in Bibb, Burke, Clayton, Newton and Putnam counties. (dps.georgia.gov) The state release itself said troopers investigated five fatal crashes and local agencies investigated seven fatal crashes, for 12 deaths statewide. (dps.georgia.gov) The Department of Public Safety’s release also included troop and post breakdowns for the fatalities investigated by state patrol units. That accounting is part of the agency’s standard holiday-period summary. ### How much enforcement did troopers report? Georgia State Patrol said troopers conducted more than 18,000 traffic stops during the holiday period. 11Alive reported those stops led to 336 DUI arrests, along with 746 distracted-driving citations, 936 seat belt citations and 207 child-restraint citations. (11alive.com) (dps.georgia.gov) The Georgia Department of Public Safety had said before the weekend that troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers would be on high-visibility patrols on interstates, state routes and local streets. In that May 18 advisory, Colonel William W. Hitchens III urged drivers to slow down, avoid distractions and never drive impaired. (11alive.com) ### How does this compare with last year’s holiday period? The Georgia Department of Public Safety reported 14 deaths and nearly 189 injuries during the 2025 Memorial Day travel period. For 2026, the department reported 12 deaths and 222 injuries. The agency’s May 18, 2026 holiday advisory had cited a different 2025 enforcement snapshot, saying state patrol investigated 331 traffic crashes that resulted in 120 injuries and six traffic deaths during the prior year’s Memorial Day period. (dps.georgia.gov) The final 2025 statewide total later released by the department was 14 deaths, including cases investigated by local agencies. (dps.georgia.gov) ### Where can readers find the official numbers? The Georgia Department of Public Safety published the Memorial Day travel-period totals in a press release dated May 29 on its website. Local television outlets including 11Alive and WSB-TV also published reports based on the state figures over the weekend. The next comparable statewide holiday traffic summaries are typically issued by the Georgia Department of Public Safety around other major travel weekends, including Independence Day, using the same statewide crash and enforcement format. (dps.georgia.gov 1) (dps.georgia.gov 2) (dps.georgia.gov 3)