A Sunday afternoon accident claimed the lives of two Jacksonwomen after the vehicle they were traveling in crossed the medianand collided with another car on Interstate 55, authoritiessaid.

Deputy Coroner John Hart said Clara K. Bowman, 54, of 126Chatham Circle, Jackson, was pronounced dead on the scene at 5:35p.m. Dorothy Fitzpatrick, 62, also of Jackson, was a passenger inBowman’s car, and was flown to University Medical Center in Jacksonwhere she died before midnight Sunday, said Lincoln County CoronerClay McMorris.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Public Affairs Officer Sgt. RustyBoyd said Bowman’s 2004 Honda Accord was headed northbound onInterstate 55 just south of Exit 42 when it crossed the median intosouthbound traffic.

Bowman’s vehicle collided with a 2007 Acura SUV driven byCharles Newton, 69, of Baton Rouge, in the southbound lane. Newtonwas transported to King’s Daughters Medical Center with moderateinjuries, Boyd said. KDMC officials said Monday morning that he wastreated and released.

“She lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the southboundlanes of traffic and into the path of the Acura,” Boyd said. “Thefront of the Acura struck the right side of the Honda.”

A third passenger in Bowman’s car, Kenya Fitzpatrick, 2, ofHouston, was taken to University Medical Center where she remainsin good condition.

Boyd said all those involved in the accident were wearing theirseat belts.

Hart said Bowman will undergo an autopsy at the MississippiState Crime Lab. Funeral arrangements for Bowman and Fitzpatrickwill be handled by Lakeover Funeral Home in Jackson, McMorris said.Arrangements are incomplete.