The Mississippi Highway Patrol officially wrapped up its Christmas enforcement period, with four fatal crashes being reported and more than 4,000 citations being issued during the three-day initiative.
From Monday at 6 a.m. to Thursday at midnight, a heightened presence of state troopers patrolled Mississippi’s highways and interstates to ensure holiday travelers reached their destinations safely. In the process, law enforcement officers reported 4,154 citations issued, 54 impaired driving arrests, 411 seatbelt violations, and 172 crashes responded to with 39 injuries and four fatalities.
This year, there was an uptick in citations issued, seatbelt violations reported, crashes, and fatalities, while DUIs were on the decline compared to the 2023 Christmas period.
Walthall County crash on Christmas Eve
On Tuesday, at approximately 4:03 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Interstate 55 in Pike County.
A 2024 Dodge Ram traveled north on I-55 when it left the roadway, collided and a tree, and caught fire. The driver received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver’s identity is currently being withheld until identification can be made.
Noxubee County crash on Christmas Eve
On Tuesday at approximately 5:58 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 45A and 388 in Noxubee County.
A 2025 Freightliner driven by 43-year-old Steven Nunn was traveling south on Highway 45A when it collided with a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 31-year-old Donald Henley traveling west on Highway 388.
The passenger in the Chevrolet Tahoe, 38-year-old Eric Harris, received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Henley received serious injuries from the crash and was airlifted to a hospital in Tupelo.
Stone County crash on Christmas Day
On Wednesday at approximately 11:15 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Highway 49 in Stone County.
A 2005 Ford Escape driven by 45-year-old Danna Bennett was traveling north on Highway 49 when the vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and overturned. Bennett received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
Lincoln County crash on Christmas Day
On Wednesday at approximately 6:38 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Highway 583 in Lincoln County.
A 2002 Chevrolet Impala driven by 29-year-old Anthony Rollings traveled south on Highway 483 when it collided with a 2012 Toyota Tundra driven by 44-year-old Geneva Waterman, traveling north on 583. Rollings received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
All four fatal crashes remain under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
