2000News

Holiday fatality toll: 23

The joy of the Christmas holiday was marred for the families of 23 persons who lost their lives during the 36 hours between 12 noon Saturday and midnight Sunday. Another 160 persons sustained injuries needing hospital attention in the same period. Four died and seven were injured in a two-car collision in Villa Mella, immediately north of Santo Domingo. The majority of deaths and injuries occurred in traffic accidents, while the remainder resulted from arguments that turned violent. Nelson Rosario Guerrero, a spokesman for the grass roots-police sponsored "Safe Christmas 2000" group stated that police seized 118 vehicles being operated erratically by "drivers under the influence."