A single vehicle accident on Interstate 55 afternoon claimed thelife of a Hazlehurst man Wednesday afternoon.

According to Rod Crawford of the Mississippi State Police, LoyceL. Howard, 70, was driving south near the 39 mile marker in a black2000 Nissan pickup truck when he exited the road to the left.Crawford said Howard appeared to have reentered the roadway, butover-corrected, spinning counter-clockwise.

Howard’s truck then went off the road to the left a second time,striking a stand of trees before coming to a rest up-side down.

Crawford said that Howard, who was alone, “did not appear tohave been wearing a seat belt.” There were no witnesses to theaccident.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol was called at 1:02 p.m. torespond to the scene, and the Brookhaven Fire Department alsoresponded with the Jaws of Life, which were not used.

Howard was pronounced dead at the scene by Lincoln CountyMedical Examiner Clay McMorris.

Brookhaven Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.