MHP Christmas weekend report, one fatality on roads
The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) has issued its report on the Christmas holiday weekend travel enforcement, which showed only one fatal accident on Mississippi highways during the weekend.
That accident happened on Christmas Day morning in Jasper County. The crash occurred on state Highway 503 about 6:30 a.m. A vehicle driven by Darion Milsap, age 24 of Vossburg, was heading north on the roadway when the vehicle lost control and hit a tree. Milsap was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident that remains under investigation. MHP information indicates Milsap was not wearing a seat belt.
With just one fatality, this year’s weekend was much better than the four victims of accidents reported in 2020, according to MHP.
Statewide, the Highway Patrol issued 6,520 citations, made 146 arrests for impaired driving, and investigated 174 crashes resulting in 30 injuries with the one fatal crash and one death.
Of the 6,250 citations, 589 were for seat belts and child restraint non-usage and 146 citations were issued for drivers under the influence.
The 6,250 citations were 1,123 more than the 5,397 citations issued in 2020. There were 247 more citations written for seat belt and child restraint non-usage and 16 more DUIs were issued.
In the Batesville Troop E coverage area, which includes DeSoto County, there were 24 collisions investigated with seven injuries but no fatalities.
Troopers in Troop E issued 78 seat belt citations and four tickets for not using child restraints. There were 18 DUI arrests, five drug arrests and one other felony arrest.
