The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its 2020 Memorial Day Travel Enforcement Period along with the Crash Awareness Reduction Effort safety initiative at midnight Monday.

A total of 157 motor vehicle accidents were investigated over the four-day holiday period, including two fatalities and 51 injuries on state and federal highways and interstate systems.

“All available troopers were utilized statewide during the period conducting saturation patrols and safety checkpoints,” said MHP public affairs director John Poulos in a written statement.

Troop M, located in Brookhaven, reported 129 citations issued — two for DUI, two for child restraint violations, 12 seat belt violations, 34 non-hazard citations, 78 hazard citations and two drug-related arrests. Troop M also reported two non-alcohol related collisions with no injuries.

MHP responded to a fatal crash Friday at 3:51 p.m. at the intersection of Mississippi Hwy. 35 and Interstate 55 exit ramp 174 in Carroll County.

A 2005 Yamaha motorcycle operated by William D. Rodgers, 60, of Vaiden, was traveling eastbound on Hwy. 35. A 2017 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Lily Shepard, 17, of Bolivar, was traveling southbound on I-55 exit ramp 174 attempting to enter Hwy. 35 and failed to yield right of way. The motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the Cruze. Rodgers received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.

MHP responded to a fatal crash Monday in Kemper County at 10:28 a.m. A 2011 Toyota Camry driven by Kary F. Williams, 73, of Scooba, was traveling westbound on Hwy. 16. The vehicle left the roadway, collided with a culvert and overturned, ejecting the driver. Williams was pronounced dead on the scene.

Both crashes remain under investigation by MHP.