Highway fatalities increase from last year

Fifteen individuals were killed in traffic accidents on Nebraska roadways during January according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The fatalities occurred in 15 separate crashes. Ten of the 15 occupants killed were not wearing safety belts.

Four fatalities occurred on the interstate, nine on other highways and two on local roads.

One fatality crash involved a pedestrian.

Icy or snowy road conditions contributed to five of the crashes and fatalities.

The number of fatalities increased from eight in January 2019, which is an increase of 47%.