Published: May 01, 2007 01:56 pm      

Limousine crash in DeSoto County kills four people

Southaven — Authorities are investigating a casino limousine crash on Interstate 55 this past weekend that left four people dead and six others injured.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol, which was investigating Saturday’s accident, said the limousine had left the interstate and struck a large concrete structure.

DeSoto County Coroner Jeff Pounders said, however, he was told a witness had reported another vehicle struck the northbound limousine before it left the roadway.

Troopers did not report another vehicle being found at the scene.

The 2005 Lincoln limousine was owned by Gold Strike Casino and Resort in Tunica, according to Patrol Sgt. Leslie White.

The crash occurred at 12:39 a.m. on the interstate between Interstate 69 and the Nesbit exit.

Authorities said the four fatalities and five of the six injured all lived in Germantown and Memphis in nearby Tennessee and appeared to be members of two families.

White said the limousine driver and the injured passengers appeared to have received moderate injuries. They were taken to Memphis hospitals.

The dead were identified by troopers as Nirmala Parag, 54, of Memphis and Kiran Parag, 45, Daksha P. Bhula, 67, and Manben Bhula, 80, all of Germantown.