Christmas Holiday Deadly On Mississippi Highways

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol says five people died on state and federal highways during the Christmas holiday period from Wednesday through Sunday.

In Lee County, 19-year-old Boonville resident Chaniqua Pierce died Wednesday on Mississippi 6 when her car hit a tree.

In Covington County, 27-year-old Osmar Garcia Vasquez of Collins was hit while walking in the northbound lane of U.S. 49 on Christmas night.

Two Indianola women, 62-year-old Linda Arant and 91-year-old Joyce Hull, died on Saturday when their car was broadsided by another car crossing U.S. 82 in Leflore County.

Another pedestrian, 40-year-old Anthony Tippen of Walnut, died Saturday in Alcorn County when he was hit by a vehicle on U.S. 72.

The Highway Patrol says it investigated 250 wrecks overall, with 81 injuries in addition to five deaths.