The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) concluded its New Year’s holiday enforcement period which began Thursday, December 31, at 12:01 a.m. and ended Sunday, January 3 at midnight.

MHP issued 6,306 citations with 184 DUI arrests. 158 motor vehicle crashes were investigated that included 27 injuries and 3 fatalities on state, federal highways, and interstates systems.  Each of the fatalities occurred on Thursday, December 31, 2020.

On MS613 in Jackson County, a 2004 Toyota pickup, driven by 17-year-old Collin J. Stockman of Moss Point, was traveling northbound., while a 2020 Chevrolet pickup driven by 60-year-old Charles R. Carter of Lucedale was traveling southbound. Both vehicles were involved in a head-on collision. Stockman received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene. Carter was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.

On MS29 in Perry County, a 2007 Ford Ranger, driven by 18-year-old Tristan L. Woodson of Waynesboro, was traveling northbound when it left the roadway and collided with a tree ejecting the driver. Woodson received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.

On MS28 in Jefferson County, a 1994 GMC Yukon, driven by 58-year-old Christopher W. Dryden of Satellite Beach, Florida, was traveling eastbound when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned. Dryden received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.