The Mississippi Highway Patrol has concluded what turned out to be a deadly holiday enforcement period.
During the 2019 Thanksgiving holiday enforcement period, the MHP investigated 185 vehicle crashes on state, federal highways, and interstates, resulting in 49 injuries and 10 fatalities.
Troopers also issued 6,824 citations with 95 DUI arrests during the enforcement period as troopers were out in full force to crack down on speeding and all forms of distracted driving.
According to the MHP, troopers observed heavy traffic throughout the period and anticipates the number of motorists traveling to increase due to the upcoming December holiday period.
Brief reports from each fatal crash have been released by the MHP:
On Thursday, November 28, 2019 at approximately 5:27 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-55 in Holmes County. A 2013 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Andre Flowers, 32, of Grenada, MS was traveling northbound on I-55. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times ejecting the driver. Andre Flowers was pronounced dead on scene.
On Friday, November 29, 2019 at approximately 4:06 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US49 in Rankin County. A 1989 Ford F250 pickup driven by Vernon E. Minton, 61, of Florence, MS was traveling southbound on US49. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times. Vernon E. Minton received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
On Friday, November 29, 2019 at approximately 4:22 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US49 in Sunflower County. A 2015 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Marx Williamson, 83, of Indianola, MS was traveling southbound on US 49. A 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by Robert D. Walters, 20, of Leland, MS was traveling northbound on US49 and entered into the southbound lane colliding head-on with the Dodge Ram pickup. Marx Williamson was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. Robert D. Walters received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
On Saturday, November 30, 2019 at approximately 2:20 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US49 in Humphreys County. A 2014 Nissan Altima driven by Kieary D. Edwards, 30, of Indianola, MS was traveling northbound on US49 in the left lane. A 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Richard E. Kent, 34, of Indianola, MS was traveling northbound on US49 in the right lane. Both vehicles made contact causing the Nissan Altima to leave the roadway west of US49 coming to rest in the median. The Chevrolet Tahoe left the roadway east of US49 and overturned. Richard E. Kent received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
On Saturday, November 30, 2019 at approximately 3:06 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS13 in Simpson County. A 2014 Kawasaki KLX motorcycle operated by Ronald Dotson, 53, of Brandon, MS was traveling southbound on MS13. A 2019 Hyundai passenger vehicle driven by Antoine D. Allen, 26, of Hattiesburg, MS was also traveling southbound on MS13. The Hyundai passenger vehicle collided with the rear of the Kawasaki motorcycle ejecting the operator. Ronald Dotson received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
On Saturday, November 30, 2019 at approximately 5:12 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS178 in Marshall County. A 1997 Buick Park Avenue driven by Terry L. Tunstall, 55, of Byhalia, MS was traveling westbound on MS178. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with tree. Terry L. Tunstall received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
On Saturday, November 30, 2019 at approximately 8:27 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-55 in Montgomery County involving a pedestrian. A 2011 Dodge 250 pickup driven by Gregory L. Cornelius, 64, of Oklahoma City, OK was traveling northbound on I-55. Dennis M. Beach, 37, of Foxworth, MS was walking northbound on I-55. The Dodge pickup collided with Dennis M. Beach who received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
On Sunday, December 1, 2019 at approximately 4:44 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS178 in Marshall County. A 2013 Ford Fusion driven by Lashonda R. Anderson, 37, of Byhalia, MS was traveling westbound on MS178. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with tree. Lashonda R. Anderson received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
On Sunday, December 1, 2019 at approximately 8:40 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS15 in Union County. A 2019 Ford Fusion driven by George K. Williamson, 55, of Memphis, TN was traveling northbound on MS15. A 2013 Chrysler 200 driven by Christopher D. Farr, 22, of New Albany, MS was traveling southbound on MS15 and entered into the northbound lane colliding head-on with the Ford Fusion. George K. Williamson and Christopher D. Farr both received fatal injuries from the crash and were pronounced dead on scene.
All crashes are currently under investigation by MHP.
