Monticello man dies when trucks collide
Published 5:00 am Thursday, October 9, 2003
A Monticello man was killed Wednesday afternoon during atwo-vehicle accident on Interstate 55 north, authorities said.
Forty-four year old Calvin Allen, a passenger in a light utilitytruck driven by David Calcote, 48, of Brookhaven, died after beingthrown from the truck. The accident happened around 3:09 p.m. nearthe 39 mile marker on Interstate 55 north, said Mississippi HighwayPatrol Staff Sgt. Rod Crawford.
Crawford said Calcote’s truck was traveling about 50 miles perhour in the right-hand lane when he tried to get off on theshoulder of the road to avoid a commercial trailer truck driven byJ.P. Vestal, of Winston-Salem, N.C.
Calcote’s truck was rear-ended, Crawford said, and both vehiclesleft the road. Calcote’s truck overturned, ejecting Allen, whileVestal’s truck stopped in a stand of trees along the interstate,Crawford said.
Allen was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:43 p.m. by DeputyCoroner John Hart, said Coroner Clay McMorris. Tyler Funeral Homeis in charge of arrangements for Allen.
Calcote was taken to King’s Daughters Medical Center, where hewas treated and released. Vestal sustained minor injuries, butrefused treatment at the scene, Crawford said.
Crawford said it was not known if Vestal was speeding when theaccident happened.
“That has yet to be determined,” the trooper said. “The accidentis still under investigation.”