Four deaths on state highways over Christmas holiday period
Dec. 27, 2024 – The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) concluded the 2024 Christmas Holiday Travel Period on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 12 midnight. The period began on Monday, Dec. 23 at 6 a.m. The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued a total of 4,154 citations, made 54 arrests for impaired driving, and cited 411 motorists for occupant restraint violations. MHP also investigated 172 crashes resulting in 39 injuries, with four fatal crashes and four deaths. The fatal crashes occurred in Pike, Noxubee, Stone, and Lincoln Counties.
TROOP M, FATAL CRASH, WALTHALL COUNTY, 12/24/2024:
On Tuesday, Dec. 24, , at approximately 4:03 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on I-55 in Pike County.
A 2024 Dodge Ram traveled north on I-55 when it left the roadway, collided with a tree, and caught fire. The driver received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver’s identity is currently being withheld until positive identification can be made.
TROOP G, FATAL CRASH, NOXUBEE COUNTY, 12/24/2024:
On Tuesday, Dec. 24, at approximately 5:58 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 45A and 388 in Noxubee County.
A 2025 Freightliner driven by 43-year-old Steven Nunn of Preston, was traveling south on Highway 45A when it collided with a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 31-year-old Donald Henley of Crawford, traveling west on Highway 388.
The passenger in the Chevrolet Tahoe, 38-year-old Eric Harris, received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Donald Henley received serious injuries from the crash and was airlifted to a Tupelo hospital.
TROOP K, FATAL CRASH, STONE COUNTY, 12/25/2024:
On Wednesday, Dec. 25, at approximately 11:15 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Highway 49 in Stone County.
A 2005 Ford Escape driven by 45-year-old Danna Bennett, of Biloxi was traveling north on Highway 49 when the vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and overturned. Danna Bennet received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
TROOP M, FATAL CRASH, LINCOLN COUNTY, 12/25/2024:
On Wednesday, Dec. 25, at approximately 6:38 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Highway 583 in Lincoln County.
A 2002 Chevrolet Impala driven by 29-year-old Anthony Rollings of Brookhaven traveled south on Highway 583 when it collided with a 2012 Toyota Tundra driven by 44-year-old Geneva Waterman of Brookhaven, traveling north on Highway 583. Anthony Rollings received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
Christmas Holiday Travel Period Statistics (Overview)
2024 Christmas Holiday Travel Totals:
- Citations – 4,154
- Seatbelt and Child Restraint – 411
- DUI’s – 54
- Crashes – 172
- Fatal Crashes – 4
- Fatalities – 4
- Motorist Assist – 46
2023 Christmas Holiday Travel Totals:
- Citations – 2,544
- Seatbelt and Child Restraint – 270
- DUI’s – 78
- Crashes – 144
- Fatal Crashes – 1
- Fatalities – 1
- Motorist Assist – 54
