Troopers from the Mississippi Highway Patrol handed out a plethora of tickets and made several arrests over the four-day Fourth of July holiday weekend, but only two motorists were killed in vehicle accidents.
One of the deaths occurred in northwest Mississippi.
John Poulos, Director of MHP Public Affairs in Jackson, said officials responded to a fatal hit and run crash Sunday, July 4, on US Highway 61 in DeSoto County involving a pedestrian. Poulos said Donterio T. Brewer, 32, of Charleston, was walking northbound in the southbound lane and was struck by an unknown southbound vehicle. Brewer received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene, according to Poulos.
The other fatality was a hit and run crash on state Highway 373 in Lowndes County.
Both accidents remain under investigation by MHP.
Four people were killed on Mississippi highways during the Fourth of July weekend in 2020.
During the 2021 Independence Day enforcement period, which ran from Friday, July 2 through Monday, July 5, MHP troopers issued 6,140 citations statewide and made 146 driving under the influence arrests.
Officials also worked 151 crashes including two fatalities and 50 injuries on state, federal highways, and interstate systems. Locally, Batesville-based Troop E worked 15 vehicle accidents that included 12 injuries.
None of the crashes were alcohol related, according to MHP.
Troop E, which covers 10 counties in northwest Mississippi, made 17 DUI arrests, three felony arrests and five drug-related arrests. Troopers also issued 518 citations across the area, including 44 for seatbelt violations and 13 for no child restraint in vehicle.
