JACKSON, Miss.- The Christmas holiday enforcement period came to a close Monday Dec. 26th at midnight, in a campaign that began on Friday, December 23rd at 6:00 p.m.
The results of the campaign are in, and between the 23rd and 26th they issued 4661 citations and had 73 DUI arrests. 141 vehicle crashes were reported, of those included 59 injuries and 3 deaths for state, federal interstates, and highways.
During the extremely successful campaign of “Coast to the Capitol,” MHP recorded zero crashes during the time frame.
MHP observed heavy traffic statewide throughout the holiday period but did see a dramatic decrease in 2016 Christmas holiday traffic crashes with only 141, versus the 2015 Christmas holiday crashes at 250. MHP attributes this to the high visibility of all available Troopers and responsible decisions made by motorists throughout the period.
In regard to the fatalities reported over the Christmas holiday period here are the official reports:
On Saturday, December 24, 2016 at approximately 1:00 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal single vehicle crash on MS 371 in Lee County. Upon arriving on scene, Troopers found a single vehicle engulfed in flames that appeared to have left the roadway overturning several times. Two occupants were confirmed inside the vehicle. Names are being withheld pending notification.
On Saturday, December 24, 2016 at approximately 4:51 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a vehicle crash on US 78 in Desoto County involving a pedestrian. Jay A. Williams, 51, from Southaven, MS was reported to be walking in the eastbound lane and was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both crashes remain under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
