Four people have died as the result of crashes in Mississippi during the 2024 Memorial Day Holiday Travel Period, according to Mississippi Highway Patrol Capt. Criss M. Turnipseed.

MHP conducted the annual enforcement period from 6 a.m. Friday, May 24, through midnight Monday, May 27. During that time, Troopers issued 7,026 citations, made 118 arrests for impaired driving, and cited 864 motorists for seatbelt violations.

MHP also investigated 135 crashes, which resulted in 53 injuries with four fatal crashes and four deaths. The fatal crashes occurred in Benton, Tunica, Itawamba, and Harrison counties.

 

Fatal crashes

On Friday, at approximately 7 a.m., MHP responded to a single-vehicle crash on Hwy. 4 in Benton County. A 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 48-year-old Dwight Holcomb of Lamar, was traveling east on the highway when it left the roadway and collided with a utility pole.

Holcomb suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Sunday, three other fatal wrecks occurred. The first was at approximately 7:48 a.m. on Hwy. 4 in Tunica County. A 2005 Ford Focus, driven by 37-year-old Jhajuan M. Milan of Sarah, was traveling east on the highway when it left the roadway and collided with a culvert. Milan received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.

At approximately 5 p.m., Troopers responded to a crash in Harrison County on Interstate 10. A 2015 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, operated by 39-year-old Roy Dale Holden Jr. of Denham Springs, Louisiana, and a 16-year-old passenger were traveling east on I-10 when the passenger fell from the moving vehicle. A 2009 Harley-Davidson, operated by 43-year-old Amanda Holden, and two other motorcycles took evasive action to avoid hitting the fallen passenger, and crashed. Amanda Holden, wife of Roy D. Holden, received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people were transported from the scene via ambulance, and two more were airlifted.

At approximately 10:13 p.m., MHP responded to a one-vehicle crash on Hwy. 25 in Itawamba County. A 2006 Toyota Prius, driven by 59-year-old Kenneth G. Cook of Smithville, was traveling north on the highway when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned. Cook suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

These crashes remain under investigation by the Highway Patrol.

 

Travel period overview

Though MHP issued 7,026 overall citations during the 2024 Memorial Day weekend, it was 20 percent less than the 8,945 citations issued during the 2023 period. Additionally, 2023 saw three fatal crashes with three deaths, compared to the current year’s four of each.

Other totals for 2024 and 2023 Memorial Day Travel Period include:

• Seatbelt and child restraint — 864 (961 in 2023)
• DUI — 118 (170 in 2023)
• Crashes — 135 (156 in 2023)
• Alcohol-related crashes — 7 (same in 2023)
• Motorist assist — 90 (135 in 2023)