COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State Highway Patrol saw a significant drop in deadly crashes over Memorial Day weekend. 

However, two of the nine deaths reported were located in the Mahoning Valley. 

This Memorial Day saw fewer fatalities than last year when there were 20 traffic deaths during the weekend.

When compared to the previous three-year average, the number of fatalities dropped by 49% this year.

The four-day reporting period began Friday, May 28, and ran through Monday, May 31.

This year, one traffic death was in Austintown after a motorcyclist and a vehicle collided in front of the middle school Sunday afternoon. 

The other death in the Valley happened in the early hours of Memorial Day when a semi-truck driver from Perry, Ohio overturned down an embankment in Unity Township in Columbiana County.

Both of these crashes are still being investigated. 

The other seven deaths took place in Franklin County, Lucas County, Cuyahoga County, Stark County, Summit County and Hamilton County. 

Trumbull and Mahoning counties saw between 500 to 999 OSHP incidents, while Columbiana County saw 250 to 499 OSHP incidents. 

Mahoning had the third-highest occurrence of incidents this past weekend with 998. 

Overall, state troopers made 25,658 traffic enforcement contacts; including 549 OVI arrests, 377 drug arrests and 3,720 safety belt citations.

In addition, the Patrol made 13,448 non-enforcement contacts including 2,523 motorist assists.

Troopers remind motorists that roadway safety is a shared responsibility. Everyone can contribute to making our roadways safer by following traffic laws, wearing safety belts and driving sober.

You can help contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving.