Oregon Public Broadcasting

4 people were killed in separate traffic accidents throughout the state this Memorial Day Weekend. That's just slightly fewer than in 2009, when 5 people lost their lives on Oregon roads. Reporter David Nogueras has more.

A 35-year-old Rainier man was killed on Sunday when his motorcycle was hit head-on by drunken driver.

That motorist was arrested and now faces numerous charges including First Degree Manslaughter as well as charges of driving under the influence.

The other three accidents are still under investigation by Oregon State Police. Sergeant Dan Swift says of all the major holiday weekends, Memorial Day usually has one of the highest rates of alcohol rated accidents.

Lt. Dan Swift: "I think it's because it's coming out of winter.  It's unofficially the beginning of summer type thing.  Usually the weather is fairly decent, so it just results in a lot more alcohol consumption."

Swift says in preparation for the weekend, area commands beefed up their patrols by putting more troopers on the road. 

The Oregon State Police arrested 73 motorists who were driving under the influence of intoxicants.  That number is down from the previous two years.