Belden Man Faces Charges in Fatal Accident

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. (AP) – A Mississippi man is charged with two counts of DUI death in a fatal accident that left two Memphis teenagers dead and two others injured.

The Highway Patrol says the two-vehicle accident occurred about 6 a.m. Sunday on U.S. Highway 78 in Marshall County near the Desoto County line.

The victims were identified as Rachel Lynch and Maddie Kruse, both 17. Both were students at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis. Two others, also students at Briarcrest, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A fifth person in the car with the others was not injured.

Authorities say 32-year-old Melandus Penson of Belden, the driver of the other vehicle involved, is charged with two counts of DUI death and two counts of DUI injury.

It is unclear if Penson has an attorney.