State Police release stats on 2017 fatal crashes

READING » The Pennsylvania State Police has released information regarding the number of fatal crashes throughout a three-county region for 2017.

According to State Police, Troop L, which covers Berks, Schuylkill and Lebanon counties, troopers responded to a total of 42 fatal crashes in those three counties in 2017. Police said those crashes resulted in the deaths of 46 individuals.

A review of the fatal crashes revealed that 18 of those who died were not wearing a seat belt and two individuals who died on motorcycles were not wearing protective helmets.

A breakdown by county of those crashes is as follows:

• Berks County had a total of 17 crashes with 18 fatalities. Six of those fatalities involved occupants not wearing a seat belt while two fatal motorcycle accidents involved individuals who were not wearing helmets.

• Lebanon County experienced a total of 10 fatal crashes in 2017 resulting in 11 deaths. Six of those individuals were reportedly not wearing seat belts.

• Schuylkill County had a total of 15 fatal crashes in 2017 resulting in 17 deaths. Six of those individuals were reportedly not wearing seat belts.

These statistics cover only crashes in which Pennsylvania State Police, Troop L, responded and do not include incidents in which other law enforcement agencies responded in those counties.

State Police are urging drivers and passengers to always wear a seat belt.