COPIAH CO. — A Smithdale man was killed in a single vehicleautomobile accident in Copiah County early Saturday morning.

According to the Copiah County Sheriff’s Department, Paul Smith,45, was traveling north on Meco Drive before 5 a.m. when he ran astop sign at the intersection of Meco Drive and West Gallman Roadand struck an embankment.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Troy Morris sighted thevehicle as he was driving to work and called the Copiah CountySheriff’s Office at 4:54 a.m.

The Jaws of Life were used to extract Smith, who was pronounceddead at the scene by Copiah County Coroner Phil Howard.