Three vehicle accidents claimed five lives on state roads during the Mississippi Highway Patrol’s Thanksgiving holiday enforcement period.
Troopers also investigated 195 wrecks resulting in 53 injuries amidst the five-day increase in personnel to assist motorists and monitor highways for impaired drivers. The Thanksgiving holiday enforcement period began Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m., and ran until midnight Sunday, Nov. 28.
The fatal accidents occurred in Lafayette, Smith, and Grenada counties.
Troopers responded to U.S. Highway 278 in Lafayette County on Thanksgiving at approximately 6:30 p.m. A report from MHP said a 2013 Nissan Versa driven by Jacquette M. Davis, 52, of West Point, was traveling west in the eastbound lanes of the four-lane divided highway. The Nissan struck an eastbound 2013 Volkswagen driven by Halie K. Tanner, 23, of Thaxton.
Both drivers died in the crash, as did Komoto S. Davis, 48, of West Point, a passenger in the Nissan. All three were pronounced dead at the scene and the accident remains under investigation by MHP.
Statewide, troopers issued 9,845 citations and made 158 arrests for impaired driving, a huge jump from the 5,460 citations and 115 DUI arrests that were made during the 2020 Thanksgiving holidays.
Batesville-based Troop E of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, which covers northwest Mississippi, made 31 DUI, four drug-related, and two felony arrests. Four of those DUI arrests were in Tate County.
Troop E also issued worked 31 vehicle accidents and issued 84 citations to motorists not wearing a seat belt and 23 for no child restraint in vehicle.
