Mississippi Highway Patrol: holiday travel totals

The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its 2018 Christmas holiday travel period which began Friday, December 21, at 12:01 a.m. and ended Tuesday, December 25 at midnight.

MHP issued 6,524 citations with 124 DUI arrests. 203 motor vehicle crashes were investigated which included 38 injuries and 2 fatalities on state, federal highways, and interstates.

The highly publicized MHP safety initiative “Making It Home For The Holidays” will continue through the end of the year in order to promote traffic safety.

On Friday, December 21, 2018 at approximately 10:44 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS-4 in Tate County. A 2019 Volvo driven by George E. Harrison, 70, of Coldwater, MS was traveling westbound on MS-4. A 2011 Ford pickup truck driven by Tim E. Curtis, 30, of Ansonia, CT was traveling eastbound on MS-4 and collided head-on with the Volvo. Tim E. Curtis received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene. George E. Harrison was transported to a local hospital due to injuries sustained in the crash.

This crash remains under investigation by MHP.

On Sunday, December 23, 2018 at approximately 3:38 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS-9 in Calhoun County. A 2009 Honda Civic driven by Thomas W. Horton, 48, of Vardaman, MS was traveling southbound on MS-9. A 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Jerry D. Holder, 71, of Vardaman, MS was traveling northbound on MS-9 and collided head-on with the Honda. Thomas W. Horton received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene. Jerry D. Holder was transported to Oxford hospital due to injuries sustained in the crash.

This crash remains under investigation by MHP.