Okolona Man Dies in Chickasaw Accident

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (Press Release) — A fatal accident occurred today around 11:30 a.m. on Highway 8 approximately a half mile west of County Road 614 in Chickasaw County.

A white 2011 Kia Optima driven by 44-year-old Michael Young of Okolona was traveling east on Highway 8 when he collided with the rear of an eastbound 2007 Mack truck pulling a tanker trailer.

The truck was driven by 39-year-old Robert Edwards of Smithville.

The tanker was hauling a non hazardous salt water solution from the Chickasaw County landfill.

Young was pronounced dead at the scene by the Chickasaw County Coroner and Edwards suffered no injuries.

According to the Chickasaw Journal, witnesses said the Optima passed them at a very high speed before hitting the truck, then skidded more than 100 yards while lodged under the rear wheels of the 18-wheeler before coming off and stopping in the middle of the highway, where it caught fire.

The accident happened just west of Pumphrey’s.

It took emergency workers 30 minutes to free Young’s body from his car.

The crash blocked the highway for more than a hour.

This is the second fatal accident in Chickasaw County in three weeks. A three-vehicle accident May 19 on Highway 15 north of Houston killed one man and sent two others to the hospital with serious injuries.

The accident remains under investigation by MHP.