The Mississippi Highway Patrol New Year’s Holiday Period concluded Monday, Jan. 1, at midnight. The period began Saturday, Dec. 30, at 6 a.m.

MHP issued 4,865 citations, made 77 arrests for impaired driving, and investigated 119 crashes which resulted in 21 injuries, with one fatal crash in Hancock County, resulting in one death.

Fatal wreck

On Monday, Jan. 1, at approximately 12:31 a.m., MHP responded to a crash on Hwy. 607 in Hancock County involving a pedestrian.

A 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 38-year-old Teuta Karaliu of Slidell, Louisiana, was traveling south on the highway when it collided with a pedestrian who was walking in the middle of the roadway.

The Hancock County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the deceased. The crash remains under investigation by MHP.

2023-2024 New Year Travel period overview

• Total citations issued: 4,865 (8,037 in the 2022-2023 New Year period)

• Seatbelt and child restraint: 456 (858 previously)

• DUIs: 77 (164)

• Crashes: 119 (203)

• Fatal crashes: 1 (2)

• Fatalities: 1 (2)

• Motorist assists: 58 (87)

“The goal of our Troopers was to promote safe travel and reduce the number of crashes, specifically fatal crashes over the New Year Holiday weekend,” said Capt. Criss M. Turnipseed. “We are proud of those efforts and look forward to continuing this mission throughout 2024.”