UPDATE – Charges Filed In MSU Student Death

PRESS RELEASE

The Starkville Police Department is continuing to Investigate a one vehicle traffic accident that occurred in the parking lot of McDonalds East on Hwy. 12 in Starkville, MS. It was reported to Police on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 2:05am. Officers responded to the scene where they found Kaleb Dwayne Barker of 139 Leggett Rd, Lucedale, MS, DOB: 10/24/1994 who had been seriously injured. Mr. Barker was transported by ambulance to Oktibbeha County Hospital and subsequently airlifted to University Medical Center in Jackson, MS. where he died as a result of the injuries sustained.

The driver of the vehicle, Sawyer Tomas Steede of 255 White Rd., Lucedale, MS., DOB:10/31/1994, has been arrested and charged with Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and is currently out on a $50,000 bond . He will appear in the Starkville Municipal Court on October 21, 2013.

Mr. Barker was a passenger in the bed of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2 door truck driven by the Steede.

Also injured was another passenger identified as Halli Camille Reasons of 126 Dawson St., Dyersburg, TN. DOB: 5/15/1995 who was also traveling in the bed of the pickup truck. Ms. Reasons was treated at Oktibbeha County Hospital for minor injuries and released.

Details of the incident are continuing to be Investigated by the Crash Reconstruction Team of the Starkville Police Department and the Detective Squad.