Five lives were lost on Mississippi highways during the New Year’s Eve travel period.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol has wrapped their New Year’s Eve Enforcement Period, which saw all available troopers positioned across the state to crack down on speeding, distracted driving, seat belt usage and especially impaired drivers.
Overall, the MHP issued 2,466 citations with 48 DUI arrests. During the two-day enforcement period, the MHP investigated 92 motor vehicle crashes that included 27 injuries and 5 fatalities on state, federal highways, and interstates systems.
Below, you’ll find a description of each of the 5 fatal crashes:
On Monday, December 31, 2018, at approximately 01:00 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash in Rankin County. A vehicle that appeared to be a Honda Civic was traveling eastbound on US-80 when the vehicle left the roadway, collided with a tree and burst into flames. The driver was pronounced dead on scene due to injuries sustained in the crash. The driver’s name is currently being withheld pending next of kin notification.
On Monday, December 31, 2018, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash in Jackson County. A 2017 Dodge Ram, driven by Michael C. Bowie, 33, of Pensacola, FL was traveling westbound on Interstate 10 when he lost control, overturned, and entered the eastbound lanes. The Dodge crashed into the driver’s side of an eastbound Ford F-150. The driver’s side of the Dodge then crashed into the front of an eastbound 2017 Ford Escape. The driver of the Dodge, Michael C. Bowie, was pronounced dead on scene from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the Ford Escape was transported to Ocean Springs Hospital with moderate injuries. The driver of the Ford F-150 was not injured in the crash.
On Monday, December 31, 2018, at approximately 11:26 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash in Leflore County. A 2004 Toyota passenger vehicle driven by David W. Simmons, 30, of Greenwood, MS was traveling westbound on US-82 when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a utility pole. David W. Simmons was pronounced dead on scene due to injuries sustained in the crash.
On Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at approximately 12:05 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash in Pike County. A 2000 Ford Focus driven by Peggy A. Goodwin, 49, of Magnolia, MS was traveling southbound on US-51 when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a utility pole. Peggy A. Goodwin was pronounced dead on scene due to injuries sustained in the crash.
On Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at approximately 01:07 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash in Holmes County. A 2005 GMC Envoy driven by Robert L. Ousby, 68, of Pickens, MS was traveling southbound on MS-17 when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times. Robert L. Ousby was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead on scene due to injuries sustained in the crash.
All crashes remain under investigation by MHP.
