One person died in a crash during the New Years weekend, Oregon State Police has reported, worse than last year but better than the 10-year average. And state troopers arrested more people for drunken driving during the 78-hour reporting period compared to last years 102-hour period.

The single confirmed fatal traffic crash happened Sunday at approximately 11:47 a.m. when a 65-year old woman from Chico, Calif., lost control of her vehicle on Highway 97 near Milepost 218 and crashed into a pickup. Two occupants in the pickup were injured, one seriously. OSP troopers are continuing the investigation.

So far, preliminary information from the Oregon Department of Transportations database of deadly crashes the Fatality Analysis Reporting System indicates that was the only fatal crash on Oregon highways during the New Years holiday reporting period. During last years holiday period there were no traffic fatalities in Oregon. That was the second time that has happened during the New Years holiday period since 1970. Two years ago, seven people died in five separate crashes. According to FARS, an average of five traffic fatalities have occurred each year during the New Years holiday period during the last 10 years.

The number of fatal crashes may change if the state receives new information.

This years 78-hour New Years holiday reporting period started Thursday at 6 p.m. and concluded Sunday at 11:59 p.m., a full 24 hours shorter than last years period.

State troopers reported arresting 79 people for driving under the influence of intoxicants, up from the 70 DUII arrests during last years period. More than half of the DUII arrests 43 happened New Years Day between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. The Springfield OSP office reported the most DUII arrests, with 15. The Coos Bay office was No. 2, with eight, and OSP in Portland was No. 3 with seven. In all, 12 OSP offices reported three or more DUII arrests, including three each from the John Day area and out of La Grande.