Mississippi Labor Day Holiday Travel Totals

JACKSON, Miss. (Press Release) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its Labor Day enforcement period which began Friday, September 4th, at 6pm and ended Monday, September 7th at midnight. MHP issued 4925 citations with 109 DUI arrests. 132 motor vehicle crashes were investigated which included 37 injuries and 4 fatalities on state, federal highways, and interstates. Although more citations were issued throughout the 2015 period versus 2014, MHP did see a reduction in DUI arrests and seatbelt violations. We credit this to good decisions made by the motoring public over the highly traveled weekend.

On Saturday, September 5, 2015 at approximately 11:38 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a head on collision involving two vehicles on MS 488 in Leake County. A 2014 GMC pickup driven by Thomas H. Page, 46, from Carthage was traveling eastbound on MS 488. A 1988 Mercury passenger car driven by Rocky E. Tucker, 38, also from Carthage was traveling westbound. The GMC pickup crossed the centerline of MS 488 and collided head on with the Mercury passenger car. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

On Sunday, September 6, 2015 at approximately 9:49 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a single vehicle crash on US Highway 98 East in Pike County. A 2007 Hyundai passenger car driven by Nisheka M. Williams, 20, from Tylertown was traveling eastbound when the vehicle ran off the right side of roadway striking a concrete culvert. After impact, the vehicle continued forward colliding with a tree. A passenger in the vehicle, Messiah Smith, 5, was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash. Nisheka Williams was airlifted to Forrest General with severe injuries. The accident remains under investigation.

On Sunday, September 6, 2015 at approximately 8:03 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a single vehicle crash on MS 24 West in Amite County. A 2014 Nissan passenger car driven by Tymia Tickles, 17, from McComb was traveling eastbound when the vehicle ran off the left side of roadway and collided with a tree. Ms. Tickles was transported to Field Memorial Hospital in Centerville where she died from injuries sustained in the crash. The accident remains under investigation.