2020 Memorial Day weekend the deadliest on Minnesota roads since 2010

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says Memorial Day weekend this year was the deadliest on Minnesota roads since 2010.

The department said the 100 most-traveled runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and is usually the 100 deadliest days on the road. Unfortunately, the state got off to a tragic start.

Eight people were killed in six crashes over the long weekend, the most over the weekend since 2010 when nine were killed. The victims this year ranged in age from 16 to 85; six were male victims while two were female; one of the crashes was alcohol-related, two were speed-related and two victims weren't wearing seat belts.

Additionally, DPS said 292 people were arrested for DWI, which is down from 393 last year.

On Friday, the state reached 100 traffic fatalities for the year, which is six days later than in 2019.

DPS said Tuesday that preliminary numbers indicate 108 people have now died on Minnesota roads, which is up from 104 at this time last year.

Of the 108 people killed, DPS said:

• Five died in distracted driving-related crashes,
• Thirty-two died in speed-related crashes,
• Twenty-six died in alcohol-related crashes,
• Twenty-seven weren't wearing seat belts,
• Fourteen were pedestrians,
• Two were bicyclists,
• Eight were motorcyclists.

The department said there will be extra law enforcement teams on the roads through the end of summer, and urged people to drive smartly and safely.