Texas man dies when vehicle strikes bridge, falls into river

The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) reports a Texas man died over the weekend in a one-vehicle crash on I-55 in Panola County.  

A 2006 GMC Sierra driven by Carlos A. Perza, age 50 of Port Arthur, Texas, was northbound on the interstate about 3:40 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, when the vehicle left the roadway and entered the Tallahatchie River. 

The vehicle crashed into the side of a bridge. MHP says Perza received fatal injuries from the crash.

Rescue efforts were underway Saturday but were suspended until Sunday morning when the interstate was closed for a time as the search continued. Southbound traffic during the closure was being diverted to U.S. Highway 51, MHP reported.  

This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.