The Mississippi Highway Patrol has concluded its New Year’s Holiday Enforcement Period.
During the enforcement period, which began on Tuesday and ended on Wednesday at midnight, the MHP investigated 81 crashes that included 23 injuries and 3 fatalities on state, federal highways, and interstates systems.
With an emphasis on speeding and distracted driving, troopers also issued 3,526 citations with 79 DUI arrests.
Crash reports for the three fatalities can be found below:
- On Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at approximately 1:25 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS589 in Lamar County. A Nissan Sentra driven by Blake H. Breazeale, 24, of Petal, MS was traveling northbound on MS589. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with tree. Brezeale was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. A passenger, Kimberly R. Sumrall, 28, of Hattiesburg, MS received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
- On Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at approximately 1:31 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on I-22 in Marshall County. A 2016 Kenworth driven by Ryan J. Thomas, 44, of Gay, Georgia was traveling eastbound on I-22. A 2013 Toyota Prius driven by Matthew Zent, 31, of Millington, Tennessee was traveling eastbound on I-22 and collided with the 2016 Kenworth. Matthew Zent received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
- On Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at approximately 6:02 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal traffic crash on MS11 in Jasper County. A 1991 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Christopher S. Tanner, 42, of Quitman, MS was traveling southbound on MS11. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with tree. Christopher S. Tanner received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on scene.
