Nearly one year after fatal crash, MDOT plans RCUT
Brian and Melissa Jenkins are reflecting on the past year following the loss of their son, Nicholas.
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Changes are coming to a dangerous Lowndes County intersection, and for one family, it’s one step closer to getting justice for their son.
The end of August will mark a year since Brian and Melissa Jenkins lost their son in a tragic car accident in Lowndes County.
On August 30, 2025, Nicholas Jenkins , 23, died near the intersection of Highway 45 and Mike Parra Road when he was trying to make a left turn.
“It’s really, really hard right now, we miss him so much. It’s been really, really difficult,” said Nicholas’ father Brian Jenkins.
“It’s very, very difficult. Trying to just do what is best for my son, to get justice for my son and ultimately protect the community because we do not need to see this happen again,” said Nicholas’ mother Melissa Jenkins.
Over the past year, The Jenkins have been advocating for a traffic light at that intersection and better safety measures in the area.
Recently, the Mississippi Department of Transportation started plans to install a Restricted Crossing U -turn, also known as an RCUT, at that same high-traffic intersection.
The RCUT at Highway 45 and Mike Parra Road/Gatlin Road will prohibit drivers from making direct left turns and keep them from crossing four lanes of traffic.
“Motorists entering Highway 45 off of Mike Parra Road will have to right hand turn, to make a left hand turn. They’ll just have to go down to the nearest cross over to go in the direction they need to go,” MDOT Public Information Officer David Kenney.
MDOT said the RCUT design is still in its early stages and that their goal is to reduce the number of crashes near the intersection.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 40 percent of intersection related fatalities happen in rural areas.
Since 2020, MDOT has recorded 29 accidents at the intersection of Highway 45 and Mike Parra Road, officials said.
“I would rather a red, yellow light be here, but I’m very happy at least something is being done here,” said Melissa Jenkins.
“I think it’s going to be great that we won’t have to cross traffic, which of course that’s going to prevent a lot of accidents from happening going across, but I am with her. It is going to be a really hard time for school buses, commercial traffic trying to navigate that turn,” said Brian Jenkins.
The Jenkins thank the community for supporting their family’s efforts to get changes made at that intersection.
“Regardless of if they put a RCUT or a stop light up here, something is being done, and it’s because of the memory of my son and all the work we’re putting in to protect the community,” said Melissa Jenkins.
MDOT officials said they expect construction to start on the RCUT within the next year.
