JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) has released its final report from the 2025 Labor Day Holiday Travel Period, which ended Monday, Sept. 1, at midnight.
The enforcement period began Friday, Aug. 29, at 6 a.m. and resulted in more than 5,000 citations statewide. Troopers made 92 arrests for impaired driving, issued 617 citations for seatbelt and child-restraint violations, and investigated 159 crashes that led to 43 injuries. MHP confirmed three fatal crashes resulting in three deaths during the holiday weekend.
Fatal crashes reported
Lowndes County: On Aug. 30, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 45 at Mike Parra Road. A Honda Accord driven by 19-year-old Amauriah J. Hill of Saltillo collided with a Cadillac Deville driven by 23-year-old Nicholas H. Jenkins of Columbus. Jenkins died at the scene, while Hill was transported with moderate injuries.
Bolivar County: On Aug. 31, a pedestrian was struck and killed on U.S. Highway 61 near Duncan. Authorities said a Dodge Charger driven by 22-year-old De’Anthony Brown of Alligator struck 34-year-old Edward M. Triplett of Clarksdale. Triplett was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Brown was not injured.
Marshall County: On Sept. 1, troopers investigated a crash on Highway 7 involving a GMC Sierra and a motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, identified as 47-year-old Calvin Brassell of Batesville, died at the scene after colliding with a northbound truck driven by 28-year-old Malcolm Harris of Waterford.
All three crashes remain under investigation by MHP.
Statewide totals compared
MHP reported a decrease in overall fatalities compared to last year’s Labor Day weekend. In 2024, troopers investigated seven fatal crashes with 15 deaths, along with 155 crashes statewide.
2025 Totals:
Citations: 5,152
Seatbelt/child restraint citations: 617
DUI arrests: 92
Crashes: 159
Fatal crashes: 3
Fatalities: 3
Motorist assists: 78
2024 Totals:
Citations: 7,123
Seatbelt/child restraint citations: 740
DUI arrests: 122
Crashes: 155
Fatal crashes: 7
Fatalities: 15
Motorist assists: 72
MHP officials said the agency will continue its emphasis on impaired driving, seatbelt use, and safe travel across Mississippi highways.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
