Published: June 01, 2009 11:50 am      

Miss. trooper killed in pursuit

TUPELO, Miss. — A 25-year-old Baldwyn man has been charged with felony fleeing and manslaughter following a pursuit that killed a state trooper in northeast Mississippi.

Authorities say Master Sgt. Steve Hood’s car left the highway Friday and hit a tree near Brice’s Crossroads Military Park. The Highway Safety Patrol says an investigation revealed eye witness statements that led to Saturday’s arrest of William A. Francis of Baldwyn.

Francis allegedly led authorities on a chase in a car modified for racing after driving westbound on Mississippi Highway 370 at a high rate of speed. Authorities say Hood saw the vehicle as he traveled eastbound and pursued it.

The crash occurred near the border of Lee County and Prentiss County.

Hood had been a trooper since 1982.