The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its 2020 Thanksgiving holiday travel enforcement period which began Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 12:01 a.m. and ended Sunday, Nov. 29 at midnight.
Six fatalities were reported including a four-year-old from Las Vegas who died in a crash on Interstate 20 in Lauderdale County.
Throughout the period MHP issued 5,922 citations which included 115 DUI arrests, 371 seatbelt citations and 53 child restraint citations. Troopers responded to 246 motor vehicle crashes which included 52 injuries and six fatalities on state, federal highways and interstates.
MHP will continue to patrol state and federal highways during the holiday period and urges drivers to observe all motoring regulations, speed limits and safety requirements.
Fatalities Reports
On Friday, November 27, 2020 at approximately 3:53 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US98 in Marion County involving a pedestrian. A 2005 Dodge Caravan driven by Dimple O. Rushing, 62, of Magnolia, MS was traveling eastbound on US98. Anthony F. Barnes Sr., 55, of Columbia, MS was walking in the eastbound lane on US98. The Dodge Caravan collided with Anthony F. Barnes Sr. who received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
On Friday, November 27, 2020 at approximately 7:16 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-10 in Hancock County. A 2008 Nissan Titan driven by Rondelle A. Celestine, 37, of Laplace, LA was traveling westbound on I-10. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with tree. Rondelle A. Celestine received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
On Friday, November 27, 2020 at approximately 3:18 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-20 in Lauderdale County. A 2019 Nissan passenger vehicle driven by Terryina S. Donald, 37, of Avondale, LA attempted to merge into the eastbound lane from the shoulder of I-20. A Volvo tractor-trailer driven by Mohammad A. Laith, 48, of Tampa, FL was traveling eastbound on I-20 and collided with the rear of the Nissan passenger vehicle. After impact, both vehicles came to rest in the median of I-20. Terryina Donald, Miraquel Donald, 4, of Avondale, LA, and Jaynell Fultz, 29, of Las Vegas, NV all received fatal injuries from the crash and were pronounced dead on scene.
On Saturday, November 28, 2020 at approximately 2:29 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on US49 in Covington County. A 2005 Ford Explorer driven by Brandon R. Tatum, 33, of Mount Olive, MS was traveling northbound on US49. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with ditch ejecting the driver. Brandon R. Tatum was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
All crashes are currently under investigation by MHP.
