September 8, 2026
From the Ohio State Highway Patrol
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) reports 12 deaths in 12 fatal crashes over the four-day Labor Day weekend reporting period, which began Friday, September 4 at midnight and concluded Monday, September 7 at 11:59 p.m.
According to preliminary Patrol statistics, at least one of the 12 fatal crashes recorded over the Labor Day weekend reporting period was OVI-related. In a continued effort to lower that number to zero, troopers made 426 arrests for impaired driving and 70 for drug-related charges.
In the fatalities in which a safety belt was available, one was unbelted. Although Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation, troopers continue to have zero tolerance during the holiday reporting period when motorists were stopped for a violation and found to not be wearing a safety belt. Throughout this four-day reporting period, troopers issued 2,136 safety belt citations.
Additionally, troopers responded to 502 crashes, issued 1,525 citations for distracted driving and provided assistance to 1,563 motorists.
Motorists are encouraged to contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving on Ohio roadways.
