Texas man dies when vehicle strikes bridge, falls into the river

The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) reports a Texas man died over the weekend in a one-vehicle crash on I-55 in Panola County.  

A 2006 GMC Sierra driven by Carlos A. Perza, age 50 of Port Arthur, Texas, was northbound on the interstate about 3:40 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, when the vehicle left the roadway and entered the Tallahatchie River. 

The vehicle crashed into the side of a bridge. MHP says Perza received fatal injuries from the crash.

Rescue efforts were underway Saturday but were suspended until Sunday morning when the interstate was closed for a time as the search continued. Southbound traffic during the closure was being diverted to U.S. Highway 51, MHP reported.  

This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol. 

Bob Bakken

Bob Bakken is the most recognized and most trusted name in DeSoto County news and sports reporting, as readers continue to express their appreciation for his accuracy and fairness in the stories he writes. Bob is also heard on 95.3 The Rebel twice a week with sports updates and high school football play-by-play broadcasts in the fall. A former newspaper editor and writer, his award-winning background also includes television news producing, sports media relations, and radio broadcasting.

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