South Mississippi teen dies in car crash morning after graduating high school

Published 8:21 am Sunday, May 20, 2018

BROOKLYN, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi teenager was killed in a crash on a Mississippi highway the morning after she graduated from high school.

Family members said 18-year-old Savannah Gibson died in the collision Friday on state Highway 13 in Forrest County. She had received her diploma Thursday night from Forrest County Agricultural High School.

Officials say Gibson’s car swerved into another lane and collided with semitractor-trailer. The Mississippi Highway Patrol says the 18-wheeler tanker was carrying liquid asphalt.

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The truck’s driver says he has been driving for 40 years and the crash was his first major one.

School Superintendent Donna Boone says in a statement that grief counseling support will be available starting Monday morning for students and staff.

The road was closed for hours while crews cleared debris.