The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its Thanksgiving enforcement period which began Wednesday, November 22, at 6 p.m. and ended Sunday, November 26 at midnight.
The MHP issued 4879 citations with 46 DUI arrests.
163 motor vehicle crashes were investigated which included 55 injuries and five fatalities on the state and federal highways, and interstates.
MHP said that they observed heavy traffic throughout the period and said that they anticipate the number of motorists traveling the roadways to increase due to the upcoming Christmas holiday.
Below are the accident reports from the five fatal accidents:
On Friday, November 24, at approximately 4:21 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a vehicle crash on US 61 in Wilkinson County involving a pedestrian. Dondi D. Dixon, 31, from Woodville, MS was reported to be walking in the northbound lane and was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Friday, November 24, at approximately 5:11 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash involving one vehicle in Leflore County. A 2003 Ford passenger van driven by Doris Greer, 47, from Greenwood, MS was traveling westbound on US 82. The vehicle left the roadway and entered the median rolling over several times. 53-year-old Dennis Miller, of Greenwood, MS was a passenger sitting in the left rear of the vehicle. He died from injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Saturday, November 25, at approximately 10:23 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash involving two vehicles in Benton County. A 2014 Chevrolet passenger car driven by 20-year-old Tavieon D. Johnson, of Michigan City, MS was traveling Eastbound on MS 5. A 2006 Ford Mustang was driven by 25-year-old Marquez Amaya, of Memphis, TN was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane of MS 5 collided with the Chevrolet passenger car. Tavieon Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Marquez Amaya was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.
On Sunday, November 26, 2017 at approximately 12:50 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash involving one vehicle in Lincoln County. A 2004 Ford pickup truck driven by 91-year-old James E. Hutson, from Bogue Chitto, MS was traveling southbound on I-55. The left rear tire failed and caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times. James E. Hutson was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Sunday, November 26, 2017 at approximately 2:14 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash involving one vehicle in Stone County. A 2002 Chevrolet passenger car driven by 60-year old Judy A. Pounds, from Moss Point, MS was traveling westbound on MS 26. The Vehicle left the roadway rolling over several times and ejecting the driver. Judy A. Pounds was then transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead.
