Two Airlifted, including 1 MSU Football Player, After Crash

Update: STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – More information was released on Wednesday afternoon about a serious crash involving two Mississippi State football players. The accident happened on Highway 25, in Oktibbeha County, on Tuesday evening.

State troopers say an 18-wheeler, driven by 51-year-old Mark Alan Mace of Sumrall, was turning into a private drive when it was hit from behind by a Nissan Altima.

Player 19-year-old Javeious Alexander O’Neal Purvis was driving that car. The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) says Purvis is in fair condition.

Also in the car was football player De’Monte Russell and 18-year-old Xavier Taylor of Brandon.

Taylor is listed in critical condition at UMMC.

He is not on the football team.

MSU says Russell was treated and released from the hospital.

Mace was not injured.

MHP continues to investigate the crash.

Update: Statements from MSU and the Mississippi Highway Patrol:

“Mississippi State football student-athletes De’Monte Russell and J.P. Purvis along with another individual not affiliated with MSU were involved in an automobile accident on Hwy. 25  yesterday evening (Dec. 17) following team practice. De’Monte was treated and released. J.P. is resting in the hospital. MSU is not authorized to comment on the third individual involved. The university is grateful to first responders for the assistance provided to our students. The Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol worked the accident,” said MSU Athletics Spokesman Bill Martin

MHP Statement: “At about 7:08 p.m. on December 17, 2019, MHP responded to a crash on MS 25 south in Oktibbeha Co. A 1994 black Peterbilt 18 wheeler driven by 51-year-old Mark Alan Mace of Sumrall, MS was traveling south on MS 25 attempting to turn into a private drive when a black 2017 Nissan Altima also traveling southbound on MS 25 driven by 19-year-old Javeious Alexander O’Neal Purvis of Pelahatchie, MS collided with the rear of the trailer. There were two passengers in the Nissan Altima, 19-year-old De’monte Russell of Jackson, MS and 18-year-old Xavier Taylor of Brandon, MS. All passengers in the Nissan were transported by ambulance to OCH in Starkville. Mr. Purvis was then airlifted to Jackson, and Mr. Taylor who was unrestrained was airlifted to Tupelo and then to Jackson, both were listed in critical condition. Mr. Mace was not injured in the accident. This accident remains under investigation by MHP.”

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people were critically injured, including a Mississippi State University football player, after a crash.

The accident happened on Highway 25, in Oktibbeha County, on Tuesday evening.

A car collided with the back of an 18-wheeler.

WCBI is told the two people were airlifted to a Jackson hospital. A third person did not have significant injuries.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the crash but has not released any information.

A MSU spokesman says the university “does not have a comment on this matter. We are still consulting with law enforcement authorities and gathering information.”