The Mississippi Highway Patrol Thanksgiving holiday enforcement period has ended across the state with a total of six fatalities, including one in Marion County.
In the wee hours of Friday morning, Anthony F. Barnes Sr., 55, of Columbia was walking in the eastbound lane of U.S. 98, when he was struck by a 2005 Dodge Caravan being driven by Dimple O. Rushing, 62, of Magnolia, who was traveling east. Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial call was received at 3:47 a.m. The accident remains under investigation.
The holiday enforcement period began Nov. 25 at 12:01 a.m. and concluded Sunday at midnight. The MHP issued a total of 5,922 citations over that period, including 115 DUI arrests, 371 for seatbelt and 53 for child restraint violations.
The MHP also reports attending to 246 motor vehicle accidents, resulting in 52 injuries and six deaths. The other deaths, including a four-year-old child happened in Hancock, Lauderdale and Covington counties.
