Highway patrol reports Labor Day accidents

Three people died in traffic crashes in Missouri during the Labor Day weekend, which is five fewer than in 2013, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The 2014 counting period ran from 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday. During the period, the patrol investigated 293 traffic crashes, which included 111 injuries and the three fatalities. Troopers made 80 arrests for driving while intoxicated, compared to 119 last year. In 2013, troopers investigated 248 crashes, which included 112 injuries and four of the fatalities.

There were no boating deaths over the holiday. Troopers investigated 11 boating crashes involving four injuries. No drownings were reported. Troopers also arrested 13 people for boating while intoxicated during the weekend. During the 2013 Labor Day weekend, officers investigated nine boating crashes, which included seven injuries and no fatalities. No drownings were recorded in 2013. Troopers arrested 14 people for boating while intoxicated during the 2013 Labor Day weekend.

Of the three traffic crash deaths troopers investigated this year, one occurred in the Lee's Summit area, one in the Weldon Spring area and one in the Willow Springs area.

There were no fatalities Friday or Saturday during the counting period.

Two fatalities occurred Sunday. Kirk P. Lochirco II, 23, of Arnold, Missouri, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the left side of the road, struck a cable barrier and overturned.

Billy L. Moore, 79, of Oak Grove, Missouri, died when the vehicle he was driving traveling west in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 and collided with another car.

A third fatality occurred Monday. Dylan K. Fitzwater, 24, of Patterson, Missouri, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the road, struck a tree and overturned.

None of the victims was wearing a seat belt.