JACKSON, MISS– The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its 2016 Memorial Day enforcement period which began Friday, May 27, at 6 p.m. and ended Monday, May 30 at midnight. Throughout the period, MHP issued 8,893 citations with 164 DUI arrests. A total of 132 crashes were investigated including 2 fatalities and 49 injuries on state, federal highways, and interstate systems. In conjunction with the Click it or Ticket campaign, 1,779 seatbelt citations were issued along with 99 child restraint violations.
The number of tickets written this holiday nearly doubled that of Memorial Day 2015.
One wreck did result in two deaths, according to a statement released by Captain Johnny Poulos with the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
“On Friday, May 27, 2016 at approximately 10:41 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal head-on traffic crash on US 98 in Lamar County,” said Capt. Poulos. “A 2008 Chevrolet Impala driven by Bianca Brister, 29, from Foxworth, MS and occupied by passengers Travis Brister, 3, and Kirsten Brister, 5, was traveling westbound on US 98. A 2001 Ford pickup truck driven by Larry Terrel, 75, from Franklinton, LA was traveling eastbound in the westbound lane on US 98. The Ford pickup truck collided head-on with the Chevrolet Impala. Bianca Brister and Travis Brister were pronounced dead at the scene. Kirsten Brister was transported to Forrest General hospital with life threatening injuries. Larry Terrel was transported to Forrest General with moderate injuries. The crash remains under investigation.”
