Four die in holiday weekend traffic accidents in state
Credit: Mississippi Highway Patrol news release
July 8 – The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) concluded the Independence Day Holiday Travel Period Sunday, July 7, at 12 midnight. The enforcement period began on Thursday, July 4, at 6 a.m.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued a total of 6,474 citations, made 149 arrests for impaired driving, and cited 876 motorists for occupant restraint violations. MHP also investigated 141 crashes resulting in 45 injuries, with four fatal crashes and four deaths. The fatal crashes occurred in Pearl River, Scott, Sunflower and Pike Counties.
FATAL CRASH, PEARL RIVER COUNTY, 7/4/2024
On Thursday, July 4 at approximately 11:39 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Highway 13 in Pearl River County.
A 1994 Jeep Wrangler driven by 19-year-old Troy Hughes of Lumberton traveled south on Highway 13 when it collided with a 2023 Toyota Camry driven by 23-year-old Jocelin Sanchez, of Tylertown traveling north on Highway 13. Jocelin Sanchez received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
FATAL CRASH, SCOTT COUNTY, 7/5/2024
On Friday, July 5 at approximately 5:17 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Interstate 20 in Scott County.
A 2002 Dodge Ram driven by 51-year-old Steve Epps of Jackson was traveling east on Interstate 20 when the vehicle ran off the roadway into the median and collided with a tree. Mr. Epps received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
FATAL CRASH, SUNFLOWER COUNTY, 7/5/24
On Friday, July 5 at approximately 7:37 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a single vehicle fatal crash on Highway 3 in Sunflower County.
A 2002 Ford CVR driven by 40-year-old Kenneth Willies of Memphis was traveling north on Highway 3 when it collided with a ditch and overturned. Kenneth Willies received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
FATAL CRASH, PIKE COUNTY, 7/6/2024
On Saturday, July 6 at approximately 5:34 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Highway 51 in Pike County.
A 2018 Jeep Wrangler driven by 40-year-old Dustin Denton of Tylertown traveled north on Highway 51 when it left the roadway, collided with a tree, and overturned. Dustin Denton received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Independence Day Holiday Travel Period Statistics (Overview)
2024 Independence Day Holiday Enforcement Totals (4 Days)
- Citations – 6,474
- Seatbelt and Child Restraint – 876
- DUI’s – 149
- Crashes – 141
- Fatal Crashes – 4
- Fatalities – 4
- Motorist Assist – 76
2023 Independence Day Holiday Totals (2 Days)
- Citations – 4.458
- Seatbelt and Child Restraint – 508
- DUI’s – 53
- Crashes – 76
- Fatal Crashes – 4
- Fatalities – 4
- Motorist Assist – 42
