The Fourth of July is a day of celebration in the United States.  Families get together for picnics and fireworks which usually requires traveling either long or short distances.  With increased road use and the possibility of increased alcohol consumption, the risk of traffic crashes rise.  An analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that on average, more people die in motor vehicle crashes on July Fourth than any other day of the year.  The study found that motorcycles and alcohol were both big contributors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2016 (the latest year in which data is available) 188 people were killed in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.  This is a 28 percent increase from 2015 when there were 146 fatalities.  Nearly half of those who died were in a vehicle crash involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .15 or higher – almost twice the legal limit.  In Iowa there were five fatalities in 2016 of which four were alcohol related.  There were four fatalities in 2017 and one was alcohol related.

To combat the impaired driving problem over the Fourth of July holiday there will be an increased presence of law enforcement officers on all of Iowa’s roadways July 1st through the 4th, to spread the message that drunk driving will not be tolerated.  It is NEVER okay to drive after drinking.  Have a plan to get home safely if you will be drinking.  The Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau want to remind you that the best way to protect yourself in any crash is to be wearing your seat belt:  BUCKLE UP EVERY TRIP – EVERY TIME!

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa trooper who has been on paid leave for 10 months has been linked to a gunshot that occurred inside a state office building. Iowa State Patrol spokesman Nathan Ludwig says the incident involving trooper Wade Karp occurred in December 2016. He says a service weapon was discharged at the patrol’s Post 16 inside the Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines, where Karp was assigned. Ludwig says no one was injured, and that reports detailing the incident are confidential personnel records.

It wasn’t clear whether the discharge was accidental or if it’s part of the internal investigation facing Karp. The Associated Press reported Monday that Karp has been on leave since Sept. 5 and has earned nearly $50,000 since then. The patrol has refused to explain the reason. Karp says he hasn’t committed misconduct, and didn’t respond to inquiries about the discharge.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a rollover accident late Thursday night in rural Council Bluffs, resulted in a man being arrested for OWI/1st offense and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. Authorities say 24-year old Christopher Charles Shook, of Council Bluffs, was driving a 2017 Chevy pickup, when he lost control of the vehicle at around 11:15-p.m. near  Wabash Avenue and Overland Trail. The pickup rolled several times into the west ditch. When a Deputy made contact with Shook, the man initially refused rescue. The Deputy called for rescue due to Shook having showed signs of being injured, and impaired.

Shook admitted drinking at the College World Series. He was transported to Jenny Edmundson Hospital, where it was discovered he had serious injury to his neck. Implied consent was invoked at the hospital where Shook refused to provide a urine sample for chemical testing. A loaded Glock .43 handgun was discovered in Shooks truck at the time it was impounded.

A traffic stop at around 2-a.m. today (Friday), in Pott. County, resulted in the arrest of 38-year old Pauleen Ann Dofner, from Council Bluffs. She was pulled over for failure to dim her headlights, and after displaying clues of impairment, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

And, a rolling disturbance on Interstate 80 westbound near Council Bluffs today (Friday), at around 5:10-a.m., resulted in the arrest of Kyle Cole, for Domestic Assault with injury, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. No other details were made available.

Creston Police report a traffic stop Thursday afternoon at Walnut and Irving Streets, in Creston, resulted in an arrest. 48-year old Randy Eugene Overholzter, of Creston, was taken into custody for Driving While Revoked. His bond was set at $1,000.