MHP Reports 6 Fatal Wrecks on MS Highways During Holiday Weekend

The Mississippi Highway Patrol reported six fatalities on state and federal highways and interstates over the Thanksgiving weekend.

No fatal wrecks were reported in Lafayette County, or in the Troop E district that includes Lafayette County.

The enforcement period started at midnight on Wednesday and ended at midnight on Sunday.

Throughout the period, MHP issued 5,922 citations, which included 115 DUI arrests, 371 seatbelt citations and 53 child restraint citations. Troopers investigated 246 crashes that resulted in 52 people being injured and six fatalities.

The six people who died in the wrecks were not wearing seat belts, according to MHP.

In 2019, there were 10 fatalities during the holiday weekend across the state and 185 total crashes.

Troopers in the Troop E district issued 870 citations, which included 19 DUIs arrests, six drug arrests, 40 seatbelt citations and six child restraint violations. They investigated 22 wrecks that resulted in seven people being injured.

MHP observed heavy traffic throughout the period and anticipates the number of motorists traveling to increase due to the upcoming December holiday period.

In the city of Oxford, OPD officers made 23 arrests for DUI over the weekend.

Wrecks on Mississippi state highways resulting in fatalities:

• On Friday, Nov. 27, at approximately 3:53 a.m., MHP responded to a fatal traffic crash on US 98 in Marion County involving a pedestrian. A 2005 Dodge Caravan driven by Dimple O. Rushing, 62, of Magnolia was traveling eastbound on US98. Anthony F. Barnes Sr., 55, of Columbia, was walking in the eastbound lane on US98. The Dodge Caravan collided with Barnes who received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
• On Friday, Nov. 27, at approximately 7:16 a.m., MHP responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-10 in Hancock County. A 2008 Nissan Titan driven by Rondelle A. Celestine, 37, of Laplace, Louisana was traveling westbound on I-10. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree. Celestine received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene. 
• On Friday, Nov. 27, at approximately 3:18 p.m., MHP responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-20 in Lauderdale County. A 2019 Nissan passenger vehicle driven by Terryina S. Donald, 37, of Avondale, Lousianna attempted to merge into the eastbound lane from the shoulder of I-20. A Volvo tractor-trailer driven by Mohammad A. Laith, 48, of Tampa was traveling eastbound on I-20 and collided with the rear of the Nissan passenger vehicle. After impact, both vehicles came to rest in the median of I-20. Donald, Miraquel Donald, 4, of Avondale, Lousianna and Jaynell Fultz, 29, of Las Vegas, all received fatal injuries from the crash and were pronounced dead on the scene.
• On Saturday, Nov. 28, at approximately 2:29 p.m., MHP responded to a fatal traffic crash on US49 in Covington County. A 2005 Ford Explorer driven by Brandon R. Tatum, 33, of Mount Olive was traveling northbound on US49. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with a ditch ejecting the driver. Tatum was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

All crashes are currently under investigation by MHP.