The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its Labor Day enforcement period which began Friday, September 2nd, at 6pm and ended Monday, September 5th at midnight. Utilizing all available troopers, MHP issued 8,442 citations with 175 DUI arrests. 170 motor vehicle crashes were investigated which included 57 injuries and 1 fatality on state, federal highways, and interstates. Although MHP experienced a significant increase in traffic crashes, DUI arrests, and seatbelt citations throughout the 2016 period versus 2015, we did see a reduction in fatalities regarding the period. MHP recorded 4 in 2015. We credit this to responsible driving by motorists, statewide law enforcement efforts, and safe driving messages promoted by the media.
On Monday, September 5, 2016 at approximately 06:42 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a traffic crash involving one vehicle in Noxubee County. A 2005 Nissan pickup driven by Jimmie L. Foot, 53, from Columbus was traveling Eastbound on MS14 when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with tree. Passenger Tommie L. Harris, 50, from Columbus was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead on scene. The crash remains under investigation.
In Troop H, which includes Clarke, Neshoba, Lauderdale, Newton, Kemper, Jasper, Smith, Leake and Scott counties, MHP troopers issued a total of 24 DUIs and 971 hazardous and non-hazardous citations. There were 16 collisions with a total of 12 injuries.
