An early afternoon collision in Marion County Thursday took thelife of a Lincoln County road employee and left a county supervisorhospitalized in Hattiesburg.

District One Foreman Tommy C. Kyzar, 46, of Brookhaven, died ofinjuries sustained in an accident on Highway 13, about a half-mileinto Marion County, authorities said. The accident happened around1:30 p.m.

District One Supervisor the Rev. Jerry Wilson is in ForrestGeneral Hospital in stable condition, said Staff Sgt. James Snyderof Troop J of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Kyzar was pronounced dead on the scene, according to MarionCounty Coroner Norma Williamson. She said an autopsy will beperformed.

“It’s just because of the nature of his job,” she said. “We haveto autopsy anyone who works for the county and is driving a countyvehicle.”

Snyder said the 2003 Chevrolet county pickup truck driven byKyzar was northbound on Highway 13 when it collided head-on with an18-wheeler. The driver of the semi, Joshua Carey, 26, of Richton,was not transported to the hospital.

Snyder said Cpl. Jamie Atkins is handling the accidentinvestigation for Troop J, and that it is still ongoing.

“Early in the investigation, it appears that the northboundvehicle was traveling in the southbound lane,” said Snyder. “Thepoint of impact was well into the southbound lane, and the semi hadalmost left the road trying to avoid it when the two vehiclescollided.”

Lincoln County Civil Defense Director Clifford Galey said Kyzarand Wilson were passing through Marion County on their way backfrom Gulfport. They had gone to Puckett Machinery to look at apiece of equipment to purchase for the county.

He said Kyzar’s death was a great loss to the community.

“We’re terribly sorry for the family’s loss and the injuries toRev. Wilson,” he said. “Tommy’s been my neighbor for years, and hewas a really good person. He worked hard for the county and if youasked him he’d give you the shirt off his back.”

Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris said Riverwood FamilyFuneral Service will be in charge of Kyzar’s funeral arrangements,which are incomplete.