Year-end accidents result in tragic death toll of 39

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SANTIAGO.- The official death toll of accidents that took place over the New Year's holiday weekend has risen to 39. This figure greatly surpasses the 18 registered victims during the three days of celebrations last year.

According to police reports, fatalities were mainly due to speeding, reckless pedestrians and alcohol consumption.

A total of 855 traffic accidents were reported during the four-day weekend, the most recent accident having killed two people last night in San Francisco de Mostazal.

The most recent fatalities reported in Santiago were from the eastern part of the city.  One of these involving a man who crashed his car into a public light post on San Pablo street in the municipality of Quinta Normal.