ST. PAULS — One person was killed this weekend on county roads, and the state Highway Patrol pulled 150 motorists off the road for allegedly driving drunk during one of the deadliest holidays of the year.

Nolle Elizabeth Thorpe, 21, of Clemmons, was killed in a single-car accident while traveling south on Interstate at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday. According to a state Highway Patrol report, Thorpe ran off the road to the right about a mile south of St. Pauls, and her 2006 Acura struck an exit sign and then struck two large trees.

Thorpe, who was alone in the vehicle, was thrown from the car, according to the report. The car was destroyed.

According to 1st Sgt. Freddy Johnson, speed did not appear to be a factor in the accident.

Johnson said the patrol investigated 54 accidents during the holiday, including nine that involved alcohol.

He said that a statewide initiative called Operation Combine Accident Reduction Effort led to 150 motorists being arrested for driving under the influence in Robeson County.

“We have a problem with alcohol-related collisions in this county,” Johnson. “This year it was 75 percent higher than we usually see.”

He said highway patrolmen saturated the county, setting up checkpoints and targeting areas that were likely to have people driving drunk.

“The guys really took it serious and worked their hearts out,” Johnson said.

Johnson said there were five fatal alcohol-related accidents during Thanksgiving weekend in 2007, and two last year.

“I hope we made an impact and made a difference; I feel like we saved someone’s life,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, we will see some changes in people’s behavior.”