Lumberton man dies in Stone County crash

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, July 18, 2018

A Lumberton man was killed in a three-vehicle crash while traveling through Stone County on Highway 26 Monday afternoon.

According to a press release from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the deceased was identified as 58-year-old William Jones of Lumberton, MS.

Trooper Chase Elkins said that troopers arrived at the scene of the collision at 3:15 p.m. Monday, and through an investigation determined that 23-year-old Darlesha Willis of Lumberton, apparently lost control of her 1996 gray Nissan Quest while travelling west on Highway 26. Jones was an unrestrained passenger in her vehicle, the release states.

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Willis’ vehicle crossed the centerline and crashed into the driver’s side of an eastbound Ford E-250 van driven by 56-year-old James Johnston of Slidell, La., Elkins said.

After colliding with the Ford, the Nissan continued west and crashed into the trailer being hauled by a 2017 Freightliner driven by 54-year-old Edward Bardwell of Wiggins, Elkins said.

Johnston and Darlesha were later transported to Stone County Hospital for the treatment of their injuries. Johnston sustained minor injuries and Darlesha suffered serious injuries during the collision, the release states.

Jones was pronounced on scene. His cause of death was listed as being from injuries sustained during the collision.

All drivers were reportedly wearing seatbelts.

The crash is currently under investigation, the release states.