LANSING — The Michigan State Police (MSP) announced that preliminary reports indicate 11 people lost their lives in 11 separate traffic crashes during the 2018 Labor Day holiday weekend. During the 2017 Labor Day holiday weekend, 10 traffic crashes resulted in 15 deaths.

Restraint use was unknown in four of the fatal crashes, two fatal crashes involved alcohol and three crashes involved both pedestrians and a bicyclist. One of the fatal crashes over the weekend also involved a motorcyclist where helmet use was unknown.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the MSP as of 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018,” stated Spl/F/Lt. Jim Flegel, State Services Bureau. “Even though there was a slight decrease in fatalities over the weekend, there are still 11 families that did not get to enjoy the holiday weekend, instead, they are grieving the loss of a loved one. The MSP continues to urge motorists to make safe driving decisions by not operating a vehicle while impaired on alcohol or drugs, avoiding distractions and risky driving behaviors and to always use proper restraints.”

The 2018 Labor Day holiday weekend ran from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018.