One person died on state roadways in Mississippi during the long New Year’s weekend, and troopers issued nearly 5,000 citations statewide.
In Marion County, the roads were relatively quiet, however. Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies booked five drivers on DUI charges during the New Year’s enforcement period.
On Dec. 29, deputies charged Ellis L. Griffin, 58, of Columbia, with DUI second offense. Deputies also charged Amanda Ard Kuffner, 38, of Foxworth with DUI first offense, child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Deputies also arrested David Brensch Starling, 18, of Seminary and charged him with DUI first offense and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, under 30 grams, in a motor vehicle.
On Dec. 30, deputies made two more arrests for impaired driving, charging Melinda Michelle Gipson, 38, of Kokomo with DUI second offense, and Jairus Jemel Ingram, 27, of Columbia with DUI first offense and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, under 30 grams, in a motor vehicle.
According to the Highway Patrol, the state’s lone fatality occurred in Pontotoc County in the early morning hours of Jan. 1.
“At approximately 2:06 a.m. on Jan. 1, the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash involving one vehicle,” Capt. Johnny Poulos of the Public Affairs Division of the MHP said. “A 2004 Dodge passenger vehicle driven by Ladaja Q. Neely, 19, of Pontotoc, was traveling westbound on Mississippi 6 when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.”
The New Year’s enforcement period began at 6 p.m. Friday and ended Monday at midnight.
“The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued 4,761 citations with 68 DUI arrests,” Poulos said.
