MHP Releases Winter Weather Traffic Stats

(PRESS RELEASE) Since midnight today through 8:30 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol has responded to 279 wrecks and recorded two weather-related fatalities.

Fatality 1

On Tuesday February 11th at 06:49 a.m. Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) troopers were dispatched to a one vehicle accident on MS 35 near the Teoc intersection.

A 2005 Toyota Tacoma driven by 67-year-old David Watson, Sr. of Carrollton, MS was traveling north on MS 35. His vehicle hit an icy patch and overturned several times.

Mr. Watson was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the accident.

The crash is still under investigation by MHP.

Fatality 2

Also on February 11th, a fatal accident occurred in Lowndes County this morning approximately 8:45 due to inclement weather. The deceased has been identified as 37-year-old Tara N. Pugh of Reform, AL. She was traveling west on US 82 at Lee Stokes Road in a 2000 white Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle left the roadway after crossing an iced bridge. The Jeep rolled over and Mrs. Pugh was ejected. The vehicle came to rest at the bottom of an embankment on the north side of the highway. Mrs. Pugh was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS, where she died due to injuries sustained in the accident.

The crash remains under investigation by MHP.