Two deaths reported in New Year’s holiday weekend

There were two fatalities, including one victim who died in a crash south of Hernando, over the New Year’s Day holiday travel enforcement period, according to information released by the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP). 

As reported earlier on DeSoto County News, Crystal Parks, age 23 of Sarah, Mississippi, died when her vehicle was struck by another vehicle driven by Catlin Carlisle, age 31 of Coldwater. The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 51 south of Hernando about 8:10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30.  

Parks’ vehicle was southbound on the highway and Carlisle’s car was northbound when the collision took place. Parks received fatal injuries as a result and Carlisle was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.  

The other fatal crash over the holiday was early New Year’s Day morning in Hinds County. Troopers were called about 4:35 a.m. to I-20 near the 22-mile marker when a vehicle left the road and struck a fence. 

Marcus A. Davaul, age 26 of Jackson, was the driver and was taken to a hospital, where he died from injuries sustained in the crash. 

The Mississippi Highway Patrol continues to investigate both fatal accidents.  

Over the holiday weekend in the area covered by Troop E based in Batesville, which covers DeSoto County, 1,352 total citations, including 34 driving under the influence citations, 10 drug arrests and four felony arrests. There were 139 seat belt violations and 16 child restraint violations.  

A total of 31 collisions were recorded in the Troop E area during the reporting weekend that had four injuries in addition to the fatality.  

Statewide, MHP issued 14,792 citations, made 279 arrests for impaired driving, and investigated 178 crashes resulting in 25 injuries with two fatal crashes and two deaths.  

The number of citations was over double the number recorded last New Year’s Day holiday period, when there were 6,254 citations, according to MHP. Last year, there were three fatal crashes and three fatalities as a result.