The Mississippi Highway Patrol has reported that four individuals lost their lives in four separate traffic accidents during their recent initiative to ensure safe travel during the Christmas season.
On Christmas Eve near Brooksville, a semi collided with a sport utility vehicle at the intersection of Highway 45 Alternate and Highway 388, resulting in an unfortunate accident.
The passenger in the SUV, Eric Harris, tragically lost his life in the accident. The driver, Donald Henley, 31, from Crawford, sustained severe injuries and was airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo for treatment.
Two fatal crashes occurred on Christmas Eve, with one happening in Pike County and the other in Lincoln and Stone counties.
During the Christmas holiday this year, there were four deaths in a single traffic accident, which is higher than the one reported last year.
During the holiday period from Monday to Thursday, troopers issued a total of 4,154 tickets, made 54 arrests for driving under the influence, and attended to 172 crashes.