ATLANTA — Traffic wrecks killed 20 people in Georgia in a 78-hour period around Christmas, the state patrol reported Monday.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, there were more than 250 traffic crashes resulting in more than 90 injuries.
They measured the incidents from 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve to just before midnight on Sunday.
The state patrol said 173 people were arrested for driving under the influence, with more than 7,200 citations issued and 9,800 warnings.
The Atlanta, Clayton County, Cobb County, DeKalb County and Gwinnett County police departments reported seven of the deaths between them.
In at least one wreck reported by Brookhaven Police, an alleged drunk driver cause a five-car, 12-injury crash.
"This whole series of events was entirely preventable, but for the selfish and dangerous decision of one person to drive drunk," the department said in a statement. "Even on the holidays, your Brookhaven Police officers are out looking for impaired drivers. Please, have a plan before you drink to call a friend, a cab, or a ride share. If you drive drunk, you could go to jail, lose your license, face huge fines and legal fees - or injure or kill an innocent person."