The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) concluded its 2020 Christmas holiday travel period which began Wednesday, December 23, at 12:01 a.m. and ended Sunday, December 27 at midnight.

MHP issued 5,898 citations with 130 DUI arrests. 201 motor vehicle crashes were investigated which included 38 injuries and 4 fatalities on state, federal highways, and interstate systems.

On Friday, December 25, 2020, at approximately 2:09 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US80 in Newton County. A 2003 Nissan Murano driven by 50-year-old Jeffrey A. Hunter of Forest, MS was traveling westbound on US80. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree. Hunter received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Friday, December 25, 2020, at approximately 3:46 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS603 in Hancock County. A 2006 GMC pickup driven by 20-year-old Colton L. Northrup of Pass Christian, MS was traveling northbound on MS603. A 2016 Jeep SUV driven by 28-year-old Jessica M. Hoyt of Pulaski, VA was traveling southbound on MS603. Both vehicles were involved in a head-on collision. Northrup and Hoyt received fatal injuries from the crash and were pronounced dead on the scene.

On Sunday, December 27, 2020, at approximately 11:07 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US45 in Clarke County. A 2002 Ford Explorer driven by 28-year-old Robert C. Wright of Foley, AL was traveling southbound on US45. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned. A passenger in the vehicle, 21-year-old Cody D. Wright received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.

 All crashes are currently under investigation by MHP.

The MHP safety initiative “Home for the Holidays” will continue through the end of the year in order to promote traffic safety.