A Brookhaven man was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Christmas Day on Hwy. 583. The wreck was one of four fatal crashes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to which Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers responded.

At approximately 6:38 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 583. A 2022 Chevrolet Impala driven by 29-year-old Anthony Rollings of Brookhaven was traveling south on 583 when it collided with a 2012 Toyota Tundra traveling north on the highway, driven by 44-year-old Geneva Waterman, also of Brookhaven.

Rollings suffered fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.

A single-vehicle wreck on Interstate 55 in Pike County also resulted in the death of one person in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve. At approximately 4:03 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, troopers responded to the scene, where a 2024 Dodge Ram traveling north on the interstate had left the roadway. The truck collided with a tree and caught fire. The driver received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The person’s identity has not yet been released.

At 5:58 p.m. Tuesday, MHP responded to a two-vehicle wreck in Noxubee County. A 2025 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by 43-year-old Steven Nunn of Preston was traveling south on Hwy. 45A when it collided with a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by 31-year-old Donald Henley of Crawford, who was traveling west on Hwy. 388.

Eric Harris, the 38-year-old passenger of the Tahoe, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. Henley received serious injuries and was airlifted to Tupelo Hospital.

At approximately 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, troopers responded to a fatal wreck in Stone County on Hwy. 49. A 2005 Ford Escape driven by 45-year-old Danna Bennett of Biloxi was traveling north on the highway when it exited the roadway on the left side of the road and overturned. Bennett received fatal injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

These crashes remain under investigation by MHP.

 

Other results of Holiday Travel Period

MHP concluded its 2024 Christmas Holiday Travel Period Thursday, Dec. 26, at midnight. The period began Monday, Dec. 23, at 6 a.m.

MHP issued a total of 4,154 citations, made 54 arrests for impaired driving, and cited 411 motorists for occupant restraint violations. Forty-six motorists were assisted by troopers, compared to 54 in the previous Christmas travel period.

Troopers investigated 172 crashes resulting in 39 injuries, including the four fatal wrecks and four fatalities.

Though 2024 had fewer DUI arrests than 2023 (78), all other statistics were higher than the previous year — 4,154 citations (2,544 in 2023); 411 seatbelt and child restraint citations (270 in 2023); 172 crashes (144 in 2023); and four fatal crashes (one in the previous year’s holiday travel period).