Vicksburg man killed during police chase on Sunday

A Vicksburg man is dead following a police pursuit that began in Pearl and ended in Flowood on Sunday. This happens less than a month after a police chase that ended in Jackson resulted in the death of Vicksburg native Brad Pennington.

The victim, Steven Pearson, 47, of Vicksburg was struck during the chase while riding his motorcycle. He was taken to Merit Health in Flowood where he subsequently died.

According to a report by WLBT, a pursuit began in Pearl after an attempted traffic stop for tinted windows. Ryan Irwin, 29 of Brandon fled from authorities at a high rate of speed.

Irwin fled westbound on Highway 80, then turned north onto Highway 486/Flowood Drive. From there the pursuit crossed Airport Road and seemed to end when Irwin’s silver Infinity came to a stop in a parking lot behind Academy Sports.

Police held Irwin at gunpoint and ordered him to exit his vehicle. Irwin did not comply and instead sped away onto Flowood Drive.

The pursuit continued through the intersection at Old Fannin Road and Flowood Drive where Irwin struck a motorcycle, driven by Pearson.

After Irwin was taken into custody, officers found he was driving with a suspended license, had no insurance and was a convicted felon.

The investigation into this incident is being led by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.