The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports five traffic fatalities statewide during the Memorial Day weekend. That’s compared to nine deaths on state highways last year during the three day weekend.

During the counting period of 6 p.m., Friday, May 24 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2013, the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 274 traffic crashes .

There were 119 injuries and five fatalities. Troopers also arrested 129 people for driving while intoxicated.

During the 2012 Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Patrol investigated 232 traffic crashes resulting in 95 injuries and five of the nine fatalities. Last year, 184 people were arrested by the Patrol for driving while intoxicated.

There was one boating fatality over the holiday this year. Troopers investigated seven boating crashes involving two injuries. There were no drownings. Troopers also arrested 18 people for boating while intoxicated over the holiday weekend.

During the 2012 Memorial Day weekend, officers investigated 14 boating crashes, which included six injuries, and zero fatalities. There were no drownings over last year’s Memorial Day weekend. Twenty-four people were arrested for boating while intoxicated during the 2012 holiday.

Of the five traffic crash fatalities investigated by the Patrol, two occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, area; two occurred in the Troop D, Springfield, area; and one occurred in the Troop E, Poplar Bluff, area. The boating fatality occurred in the Troop E, Poplar Bluff, area.