Statewide: At Least 300 DWIs Over New Year's

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- At least 300 people were arrested for DWI in Minnesota on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, according to preliminary DWI arrest information from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

One fatality took place during the late afternoon on Dec. 31, north of Deer River, Minn., but it's unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor in the crash.

In the previous four years, there were zero drunk-driving deaths on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The arrest numbers reflect statewide DWIs from the State Patrol, county sheriff's offices and municipal law enforcement agencies. A breakdown of DWI arrests by agency is not available at this time.

The 300 DWI arrest figure is consistent for New Year's Eve DWI arrests -- the state averaged 295 DWIs during the previous five years for the holiday.