DUI, fatal accidents increase this July 4th weekend

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Sunday, July 6, 2014
An officer stops a car during a DUI check in this undated file photo.
An officer stops a car during a DUI check in this undated file photo.
KABC-KABC

The holiday weekend proved dangerous for California drivers.

Fifteen people were killed statewide in the first 30 hours of the Independence Day holiday compared to nine people last year, according to the California Highway Patrol. Of those, about 40 percent were not wearing a seat belt.

Three of the deaths took place in Los Angeles County compared to one death last year.

Drunk driving arrests also increased, with CHP making 747 DUI arrests, up 32 percent during the same period from last year. More than 150 of those arrests were made in Los Angeles County.

The agency tweeted Saturday, "You can't celebrate your freedom in a jail cell."