A Copiah County fatality was one of three fatal wrecks investigated by the Mississippi Highway Patrol over the Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Period. The other fatal crashes occurred in Jackson and Choctaw counties.

On Wednesday, Nov. 22, at approximately 4:50 p.m., Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash in Copiah County on Hwy. 27.

A 2008 Volkswagen driven by Deangelo Kelly, 49, was traveling south on Hwy. 27 when it left the roadway and collided with a ditch. Kelly received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.

At about 1 a.m. Thursday morning, Troopers responded to a fatal crash in Jackson County on Hwy. 63, involving a pedestrian.

A 2000 Honda Civic, driven by 55-year-old Richard Thomas of Moss Point, was traveling north on Hwy. 63. Jesiah Cady, 33, of Jackson, was walking south on the highway in the northbound lane. The Civic collided with Cady, who suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Saturday, Nov. 25, at approximately 11 p.m., Troopers responded to a fatal crash in Choctaw County.

A 2012 Mercedes Benz, driven by 42-year-old Westley Jermont Ashford of Weir, was traveling west on McGee-Thompson Road when the vehicle left the right side of the roadway and overturned. Ashford received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.

All three crashes remain under investigation by MHP.

Holiday totals, 2023 (compared to 2022)

Citations issued — 6,766 (9,170 in 2022)

Seatbelt and child restraint — 875 (645 in 2022)

DUI — 109 (172)

Drug-related arrests — 45 (39)

Crashes — 169 (212)

Fatal crashes — 3 (6)

Fatalities — 3 (6)

Motorist assists — 85 (104)