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MHP reports 110 crashes over holiday weekend
Mississippi Highway Patrol recently concluded its 2026 Independence Day Holiday patrol which resulted in two fatal crashes.
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VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Mississippi Highway Patrol investigated 110 crashes during its increased patrol during the 2026 Independence Day holiday weekend.
MHP concluded its 2026 Independence Day Holiday Travel Period on Sunday, July 5, at midnight. The travel period began on Friday, July 3, at midnight.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol investigated 110 crashes resulting in 38 injuries, with two fatal crashes, one in Marion County and one in Desoto County resulting in one death in each crash.
FATAL CRASH, MARION COUNTY:
On Friday, July 3, 2025, at approximately 9:59 p.m., MHP responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 98 in Marion County.
A 2009 Cadillac CTS, driven by 46-year-old Leonard J. Landry of Slidell, LA, traveled south on Ward Road when it collided with a 2014 Ford F-150 driven by 21-year-old Jeremy L. Latimer of Gulfport, MS, who was traveling west on U.S. Highway 98.
Leonard J. Landry received fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Joan Esteve of Covington, LA, a passenger in the Cadillac, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Jeremy Latimer was not injured.
FATAL CRASH, DESOTO COUNTY:
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, at approximately 9:05 p.m., the MHP l responded to a vehicle versus a pedestrian crash on Highway 302 near Poplar Corner Road in DeSoto County.
A 2019 Nissan Sentra, driven by 38-year-old Morgan L. Cothern, of Horn Lake, MS, was traveling west on Highway 302 when his vehicle collided with two pedestrians, identified as James M. Taylor, 38, of Clarksdale, MS, and Jamil Taylor, 23, of Friars Point, MS.
James M. Taylor received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene. Jamil Taylor received serious injuries and was transported to the Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, TN. Morgan L. Cothern received minor injuries and was transported to Baptist DeSoto Hospital.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol investigated 110 crashes resulting in 38 injuries, with two fatal crashes, one in Marion County and one in Desoto County resulting in one death in each crash.
These crashes remain under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Independence Day Holiday Travel Totals for 2025:
- Crashes – 90
- Injuries – 34
- Fatal Crashes – 1
- Fatalities – 1
- Motorist Assist – 68
