Nashville, Tennessee --- Preliminary figures from the Tennessee Department of Safety reveal 10 people were killed as a result of seven fatal motor vehicle crashes in Tennessee during the 2004 Fourth of July holiday period.

Six of the crashes were single-vehicle crashes; one was a multiple vehicle crash. Seven of the persons killed were not wearing a seat belt. Thirteen percent, or one, of the fatalities occurred in crashes where alcohol was indicated to be involved.

The seven fatal crashes occurred in Anderson, Cocke, Lawrence, Montgomery, Putnam, Rutherford and Wilson counties. The 2004 Fourth of July holiday was a 78-hour period, beginning 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 2 and ending at 11:59 Monday, July 5.

During the 2003 Fourth of July holiday period there were 13 fatal crashes resulting in 13 deaths.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.