Name released for suspect who died in MHP custody

Published 3:51 pm Thursday, March 4, 2021

The name of a subject who died in Mississippi Highway Patrol custody Feb. 25 has been released as an investigation into the death continues.

Jonathan Bowman was the man arrested after leading MHP Troopers in a high speed chase that ended in a wreck on I-55, according to MBI spokesman Major John Poulos Thursday afternoon.

The driver of a truck headed eastbound on Hwy. 84 west of Brookhaven failed to stop for a Mississippi Highway Patrol safety checkpoint just before 2 p.m. Feb. 25 and fled officers in a high speed pursuit that ended when the truck wrecked in Copiah County, Troop M Cpl. Craig James said.

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Friday evening, MHP Public Affairs spokesman M.Sgt. Justin C. Elkins released the following statement:

“The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, along with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, is investigating an in-custody death of a male subject that occurred on Friday, February 26, 2021, in Copiah County. MBI and MBN Special Agents are gathering evidence as part of this ongoing investigation and will share their findings with the local District Attorney’s office.”

The investigation is progressing and more information will be released as soon as the investigation has concluded, Poulos said.