The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its Memorial Day enforcement period, responding to five fatal crashes and issuing nearly 6,000 citations issued during the four-day campaign.
State troopers increased patrol from Thursday evening until Monday night amid record roadway travel numbers. According to a release from the MHP, totals from the enforcement period rounded out at:
- Citations: 5,857
- Seatbelt and child restraint: 592
- DUIs: 73
- Crashes: 137
- Fatal crashes: 5
- Fatalities: 6
- Motorists assisted: 94
Compared to last year’s Memorial Day enforcement period, the number of citations were significantly lower. However, there were two more fatalities in 2025 than in 2024.
The following information on the five fatal crashes was provided by the MHP:
Hancock County crash on May 24
At approximately 3:40 a.m., the MHP responded to a fatal crash on Highway 604 in Hancock County.
A 2008 Toyota Tacoma driven by Howard Darsey, 52, was traveling east when it ran off the road and collided with a tree. Dawsey, of Pearlington, was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
Lowndes County crash on May 24
At approximately 10:34 a.m., the MHP responded to a fatal crash on Highway 12 in Lowndes County.
A 2020 GMC Sierra driven by Sean A. Hathaway, 29, of Steens, was traveling east when it collided with a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe being driven westbound by Jason P. Harrison, 45. Harrison, of Columbus, was pronounced dead on the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The crash remains under investigation.
George County crash on May 24
At approximately 8:30 p.m., the MHP responded to a fatal crash on Highway 613 in George County.
A 2015 Chevrolet Express driven by Tyler Merwin, 57, with five passengers was traveling south when it collided with a 2014 Ford F150 being driven northbound by Vaydin Buckley, 20, of Moss Point. Merwin, of Lucedale, was pronounced dead on the scene. His wife, Lisa, and a juvenile who was in the vehicle was transported to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
Holmes County crash on May 24
At approximately 10:03 p.m., the MHP responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 14 in Holmes County.
A 2004 GMC Sierra driven by Calvin Cox, 37, of Lexington, was traveling west when it collided with a fallen tree partially in the roadway. Cox and his son, D’Kbryn Cox, 11, were pronounced dead on the scene. Another juvenile in the vehicle was transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
Chickasaw County crash on May 25
At approximately 1:29 a.m., the MHP responded to a fatal crash on Highway 245.
A 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Rashad W. Goree, 37, was traveling north when it collided with a 2016 Audi Q3 being driven southbound by Brandon O. Ford, 19. Reyne Rakera Babbitt, 25, of Tupelo, was a passenger in the Audi who succumbed to her injuries received during the crash. Goree, Ford, and a passenger in the GMC were treated at a local hospital for injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
