Three people dead in holiday weekend crashes

Three people died in New Year’s weekend motor vehicle crashes in the state of Mississippi, according to information received Monday from the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP).  

All three fatal accidents took place during the day of New Year’s Eve, according to MHP. The victims were from Moss Point, Waynesboro, and Satellite Beach, Florida. 

Collin J. Stockman, age 17 of Moss Point, died at the scene of a crash on state Highway 613 in Jackson County about 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning.  Stockman’s vehicle was northbound on the highway when it collided head on with a southbound pickup truck driven by Charles R. Carter, age 60 of Lucedale. Stockman was pronounced dead at the scene. Carter was taken to a nearby hospital with what were termed as moderate injuries.  

A Waynesboro man died early Thursday afternoon when his Ford Ranger left state Highway 29 in Perry County and struck a tree about 1 p.m. The man was identified as Tristan L. Woodson, age 18, who was ejected from the vehicle in the collision and was declared dead at the scene.

The third weekend fatality was identified as a Florida man who died when his vehicle left state Highway 28 in Jefferson County and overturned. The victim was identified as Christopher W. Dryden, age 58 of Satellite Beach, Florida. Dryden was driving eastbound on the state highway when the crash occurred about 3 p.m. Thursday and was also pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Highway Patrol.  

Statewide, troopers issued 6,306 citations and made 184 arrests for driving under the influence during the holiday weekend. 

There were 158 motor vehicle crashes investigated that had 27 injuries, along with the three fatalities, on state and federal highways and the interstate system in Mississippi during the New Year’s holiday weekend.

In Troop E Batesville, the district that includes DeSoto County, a total of 519 citations were issued during the holiday weekend reporting period. Twenty-nine of that number were DUI arrests and there were three drug arrests. There were also 24 citations issued for not wearing seat belts. 

Troopers in the Batesville district investigated 17 motor vehicle collisions during the weekend but none were alcohol-related crashes. Four people were injured in the accidents that Troop E Batesville troopers investigated.