The Mississippi Highway Patrol has wrapped up its Thanksgiving Enforcement Period.
From Wednesday through Sunday, all available troopers were posted on state and federal highways to crack down on speeding and distracted driving.
Throughout the period, troopers issued 5,922 citations which included 115 DUI arrests, 371 seatbelt citations and 53 child restraint citations. Additionally, the MHP investigated 246 crashes resulting in 52 injuries and 6 fatalities.
The MHP continues to preach the importance of defensive driving as they anticipate a rise in motorists throughout the holiday season.
The MHP providing the following information on each of the fatal crashes:
- On Friday, November 27, 2020 at approximately 3:53 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US98 in Marion County involving a pedestrian. A 2005 Dodge Caravan driven by Dimple O. Rushing, 62, of Magnolia, MS was traveling eastbound on US98. Anthony F. Barnes Sr., 55, of Columbia, MS was walking in the eastbound lane on US98. The Dodge Caravan collided with Anthony F. Barnes Sr. who received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
- On Friday, November 27, 2020 at approximately 7:16 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-10 in Hancock County. A 2008 Nissan Titan driven by Rondelle A. Celestine, 37, of Laplace, LA was traveling westbound on I-10. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with tree. Rondelle A. Celestine received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
- On Friday, November 27, 2020 at approximately 3:18 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-20 in Lauderdale County. A 2019 Nissan passenger vehicle driven by Terryina S. Donald, 37, of Avondale, LA attempted to merge into the eastbound lane from the shoulder of I-20. A Volvo tractor-trailer driven by Mohammad A. Laith, 48, of Tampa, FL was traveling eastbound on I-20 and collided with the rear of the Nissan passenger vehicle. After impact, both vehicles came to rest in the median of I-20. Terryina Donald, Miraquel Donald, 4, of Avondale, LA, and Jaynell Fultz, 29, of Las Vegas, NV all received fatal injuries from the crash and were pronounced dead on scene.
- On Saturday, November 28, 2020 at approximately 2:29 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US49 in Covington County. A 2005 Ford Explorer driven by Brandon R. Tatum, 33, of Mount Olive, MS was traveling northbound on US49. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with ditch ejecting the driver. Brandon R. Tatum was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
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