Six die during New Year's holiday travel period

ATLANTA - Six people were killed in traffic crashes in Georgia over the 102-hour New Year's holiday travel period, including one person from north Georgia. The holiday period began Friday at 6 p.m. and ended at midnight Tuesday.

Fatal traffic crashes were reported by the Georgia State Patrol posts in Athens, Madison and Valdosta, as well as Cobb County Police, Perry Police and Macon Police.

The victim from the north Georgia area was Brian Allan Churchill, 29, from Jefferson. Churchill was killed Monday around 11:50 a.m. in Jackson County when he lost control of his vehicle on Benton Road. A passenger Churchill's vehicle was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The Georgia State Patrol investigated 585 traffic crashes during the holiday period with 266 injuries reported. Early activity reports show state troopers arrested 321 people for driving under the influence.

Last year during a 78-hour holiday period, state troopers investigated 296 crashes that resulted in 172 injuries. Troopers investigated seven of the 13 fatal crashes reported statewide. Troopers also arrested 262 people for impaired driving.