A single-car crash claimed the life of a 20-month-old child andhis father one mile north of Ruth at 5:48 p.m. Sunday, authoritiessaid.

Mark F. Ratcliff, 43, of New Orleans, and his son Deshawn, of2136 Misty Lane, Bogue Chitto, died in the crash on Highway 583near Topisaw Drive, said Rusty Boyte, public affairs officer forthe Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.

Ratcliff’s stepdaughter Jasmin Vigie, 3, of 2136 Misty Lane, wastransported to King’s Daughters Medical Center with moderateinjuries, he said.

She was released to her mother, Cristy Lynn Vige, who is alsothe mother of Deshawn Ratcliff, Monday morning and is expected tomake a full recovery, said Lincoln County Coroner ClayMcMorris.

McMorris said they were on what was meant to be a quick familyouting.

“From what we know, they’d left home to get gas and candy forthe kids,” he said. “They were returning from the store in Ruthwhen the accident occurred.”

McMorris said it looked as though Ratcliff lost control of the2003 GMC Sierra Z71 pickup on the road and overcompensated, causingthe truck to overturn in the median.

“The vehicle overturned, rolled several times and ejected thedriver and his son,” Boyte said. “No one was wearing anyrestraints.”

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, hesaid.