CHP reports one death in county in first 12 hours of holiday weekend

California Highway Patrol reported one traffic-related death in San Diego County during the first 12 hours of this year’s New Year’s holiday.

A 35-year-old woman was killed when she inexplicably made a U-turn while driving on Interstate 15 near Sea World Drive and caused a head-on pileup about 11 p.m Friday.

The reported period began at 6:01 p.m. Friday and ended today at 6 a.m. During an equivalent period last year, the CHP reported one death in the county.

Statewide there were two reported deaths this year, in comparison to nine last year.

In San Diego County, the CHP arrested 24 motorists for suspicion of drunken driving, slightly lower than last year’s total of 27.

There was also a decrease in statewide drunken driving arrests, 438 this year, down from last year’s count of 499.

The CHP totals reflect arrests only by the state police agency, and not local police departments. The holiday fatality toll sometimes lags behind actual events, as traffic deaths are not always promptly reported to the CHP by local police or hospitals.