New Year’s weekend is coming up, and troopers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol will continue the holiday enforcement period to encourage drivers to do so safely.
During Christmas weekend within Troop K, which includes the six coastal counties of Pearl River, Hancock, Stone, Harrison, George and Jackson, troopers worked 15 accidents, involving 12 injuries. No fatal motor vehicle accidents were reported within Troop K during Christmas weekend.
“We were fortunate enough to not have any of those,” said Troop K Public Information Officer Chase Elkins.
Troopers within that region worked 12 DUI stops, conducted three drug arrests and arrested one person for a felony offense, according to a release from the department. Troop K troopers also issued 19 citations for seatbelt violations and two for child restraint violations, according to information provided by MHP.
Statewide, there were three fatalities as a result of two motor vehicle accidents within MHP jurisdiction. One accident occurred in Lee County on Christmas Eve, involving a vehicle leaving the roadway and catching fire with two occupants still inside.
The second accident occurred the same day in Desoto County and involved a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle along U.S. 78.
Overall, there were 141 crashes recorded, which was a reduction compared to the 250 accidents worked by troopers the year before, the release states. Elkins said the enforcement period will take place again starting Friday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. and last until Monday Jan. 2 at midnight for New Year’s weekend.
“We’ll be out in full force with extra manpower to ensure the safety of the public,” Elkins said.