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Second wreck victim dies
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008
VIDALIA — A second victim in Sunday’s multiple-car accident on the Mississippi River Bridge died Monday.
Kelvin Keys, 22, of Ferriday, died at University Medical Center, in Jackson, from injuries he received during the early morning accident.
Another Ferriday man, Terrance Johnson, 20, died Sunday.
A third victim, whose name has not been released, was transported to a Jackson hospital in critical condition.
Vidalia Police responded to the accident, which closed both lanes of eastbound traffic over the Mississippi River, at 4:01 a.m. Sunday.
Traffic was re-directed to two-way driving on the westbound lane until the eastbound bridge was re-opened at 2:35 p.m.
Alcohol is believed to have played a significant role in the accident and one man, Cedric A. Hunter, 24, of Natchez, was arrested on charges of DWI, first offense.
The accident is still under investigation, and additional charges may be filed, Police Chief Billy Hammers said.
Four cars reportedly received extensive damage, and other vehicles reportedly fled the scene of the accident.
Further information was not released Monday.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation was on the scene Monday morning, and that could have been either a routine bridge check or a special post-accident check, MDOT Executive Director Larry “Butch” Brown said.
Following any accident on the bridge, the Mississippi Department of Transportation checks to make sure the roadbed did not sustain any damage and that the bridge did not receive any hazardous material damage, Brown said.
Brown said he did not know if the bridge check Monday was routine or related to the accident.
“As far as the bridge being safe, it is one great big heck of a structure, and it takes a lot of battering and abuse with the continuous loads on it,” Brown said. “We are confident we have a good, strong bridge.”
Comments
Posted by lookingout (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 12:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
my prayers go out to all families who have lost loved ones in this horrible accident
Posted by myfairy (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May god be with the families of the deceased and i'am praying for all parties involved.
Posted by GodsChild (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 2:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers go out to everyone involved in this accident.
This is the reason I don't drink anymore!!!!!
God Bless these families
Posted by BurningStar (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 6:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FIRERED: maybe they are cracking down on them in some way - but that doesn't mean that they are actually getting punished the way you would expect. They get probation, if that much.
If they were really trying to crack down on it, they wouldn't still be allowing drive-thru mixed drinks! They would also get a harsher punishment, if the state were serious.
Posted by oldschool (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Might as well give up cause NOBODY is telling what happened. This seems to me to be a BIG cover up.
Posted by emp (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not all of the facts can be released until the investigation is done.
Posted by tolduso (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I smell a rat. Hunter turns himself in and only is charged with D.U.I. Doesn't he know the person he was racing with/or running from.Also 2 peoples have lost their lives,what about vehicular homocide.
Posted by justthefactsman (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Prayers go out to all involved who have lost a loved one in this. My only question is how did the driver of the vehicle that was going the wrong way on the east bound bridge end up going that way instead of the right way? Were they turning out of Government Fleet Rd or the Hotel right there on the hill. I understand there was alcohol involved, but if the car was coming from Canal St..you have that little merge there to get you headed in the right direction. Who knows?
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Typical Natchez day. Nobody knows or sees anything.39 of the 40 charges are dissmissed or thrown out of court due to rain or suspicious gossip
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you can,t see the highway or your rearview mirror,how would you possibly knowhat direction or where you were going?
Posted by seeemeeego (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK, DWI, two dead - where are the charges of vehicular homicide against this driver?
Posted by MARIE (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THIS IS SO SAD FOR ALL THE FAMILIES. KELVIN KEYS GRANDMOTHER PASSED ON YESTERDAY ALSO. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THESE FAMILIES.
Posted by momof1 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like they were playing chicken
Posted by babygirl3364 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
my prayer are with the familys that lost love one and as for the man with the dwi i pray for him he should have not got on the road drunk if he would have stayed home thoses ppl would still be here with there love one may god be with all those in that harrelb wreack sunday moring
Posted by ohplease (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everybody is speculating. Unless you were there, none of you know what really happened. You all want let the families grieve with all this misconstruded information about what happened that night. My heart goes out to all of those involved. The STREET COMMITTEE needs to give it a rest and let the law do their jobs.
Posted by snoopy (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They were NOT playing chicken. They didn't even know the other driver.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Was driving the wrong way on the bridge part of an initiation ceremony?
Burning Star, even if Adams County and Concordia Parish were dry counties, people would still find a way to get alcohol. They do it all day everyday in the counties that are dry. They just drive down the road to the next not dry county and bring it back to the dry county. Years ago, I heard that the sheriff of one of the dry counties was the one you bought alcohol from; he would meet you and put it in your trunk. And, people have even been known to brew moonshine right in their own backyards. I know someone who was given a bottle of home brew by a co-worker not too long ago.
You can tell people that alcohol is not their friend, but until they realize it on their own, they are going to keep on keeping on, even if you close down every drive thru or walk-in establishment that sells alcohol...they will find a way to get their alcohol even if they have to brew the stuff themselves.
Posted by firered (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh Marie, you just gave me chills. That is so sad. My prayers are with all families involved. This is a horrific time for all involved.
And, also, I have not seen any reports saying that this Cedric fellow was the one who caused the wreck or anything of that sort. I think he did the right thing by either staying at the scene or turning himself in.
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, firered. I think there are too many unanswered questions, though. I think there was way more to this than we realize. The story keeps getting deeper and more confusing. Hopefully the official report will clear up alot. I hope that will come out soon.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have read that kudzu will help you quit drinking. Maybe Natchez needs to use some of that grant money to study Kudzu. We are sitting on a gold mine. Instead of studying creekbeds and promoting tourism, lets study kudzu. Kudzu, I've read, has other medicinal purposes too...lets put it in the drinking water...that should make all the alcoholics give up drinking and heal the ones with diabetes and high blood pressure and lower cholesterol, etc...then, there will be no need for the hospital that isn't doing too well anyways...we'll all be healthy and have no need for national healthcare. It's a win-win situation...all the retirees will come here after hearing how Natchez has found the fountain of youth, except it will really be kudzu, instead of a fountain.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Marie how did the grandmother die? Was it after she heard about the wreck or before?
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was wondering about that firered...who was driving the wrong way on the bridge? I'm not clear about what happened.
Posted by toosweet (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May God be with these families in their time of grief. RIP Kelvin! I can't fathom what it means to lose two kids but Lou-Lou I am praying that God will give you strength to go through this too. Just know that noone has the answers to all things, and we will never understand everything, but just know if you lean on him he will provide you with the strength that you need to get through it. Some things were not meant to be understood, they must be revealed! God Bless You Sweetie!
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's weird, I didn't post those last two that close in time and the last one posted prior to the first one. That's just one of those things that make you go hmmm.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, first initial reports stated that a vehicle was driving in the wrong direction on the bridge. Also, what's a game of chicken?
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chicken is when two cars drive straight at each other and the first one to swerve is the "chicken".
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chicken is where you drive towards each other and the first on to move out of the way is a chicken. I have only seen it done on movies and never actually known anyone that has played it. There are alot of unanswered questions in this situation. You would think the people that fled would want to give their testimonies to help with what actually happened, unless they are not wanting people (like their parents)to know that they were there at that time of night(morning)! Just a guess!
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone with the know how could get a grant for Natchez to produce Cellulosic ethanol from Kudzu.
Posted by opinsab (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This all seems a bit fishy to me! I mean we havent heard any hard facts on this! And many would say its none of our business but ive been told im very nosie!! Well something is def not right! I mean there will always be rumors going on after a horrifc event. But whats the truth. And People before you go throwing stones at Cedric lets make sure he just was nt in the middle of the bridge when these young people made the mistake they did. Lets not down him. Im sure he s haveing to deal with alot right now even if he wasnt the cause. We should join together as a community and hold these families in our huge arms. The miss lou needs to come together and stop all the nonsense. Who did what and when, what matters is that God decided he wanted two more of our neighbors, and their families need us. Gold bless. My prayers are with you in every way.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kudzu and Kornbread. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
So Wayne's World was a little flippie this weekend. The authorities will come up with a good story. And like sands through the hourglass.............
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are right, opinsab!
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Still no official word? What in the world is going on with this thing? Something is definitely up with this accident. Come on, officials - give us some details. Heck - even the basic story would be good at this point (without the details). There are alot of concerned citizens wondering what happened. We aren't asking who was at fault, where they live or what color their hair is! Just exactly what happened (ex. "Car A was traveling east on the bridge when car B lost control..." or something like that) and how the other victims are doing. The longer the story is with held, the more blown out of proportion it will get.
Posted by MARIE (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
his gramdmother was already really sick. i dont think she even knew about this wreck. who said cedric caused the wreck im so confused im about to stop reading and posting. we all just need 2 pray.
Posted by MARIE (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LIKE SOMEONE SAID THE OTHER DAY THIS IS BECOMING A CHAT LINE.
Posted by fine_azz_in_camo (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 3:38 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by firered (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for clearing that up fine_azz_in_camo.. That's what I was trying to say, I just don't have the knowledge you do b/c i was not there. I just have sense enough not to jump to conclusions before things are even out in the open.
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What does the color of ones skin have to do with truth?
Posted by firered (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't touch that comment for a reason... I want to but I have more respect than that for these's guy's families. Please don't turn this into a race thing, For the families sake!
Posted by firered (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why press the issue?
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is color of skin important to this issue?
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It shouldn't matter one bit what color any of them were. I don't even know what color anyone involved is, but I am still sick that two young PEOPLE lost their lives. They were human beings and their families and friends are mourning their loss. That's all that matters.
Posted by hopefloats (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem here is that we don't know who was driving what vehicles. What was the other vehicle doing camo that caused the accident that can't be found? Was he beside the car?
Posted by CitizenSane (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why does Butch Brown not know what the MDOT workers were doing on the bridge?
Why does the Natchez Democrat devote two paragraphs to Butch Brown saying he doesn't know why they were there.
How hard would it be for Brown to find out why they were there and then the Democrat could have reported information instead of "we don't know."
Anyway, an all round horrible, sad tragedy.
Posted by peachpit (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Because Vidalia1. Everything around here turns into a skin color when anything happens. It's a crutch when someone dosen't have an answer. It has to be race related. Don't even think that we have lost two young people no matter what the color. It's tradgic for the whole Miss-Lou. Black-White or Grey...
Posted by pimpmrcadillac (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 11:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
everyone is guessing on what happened. if u was'nt there; u wouldn't know. think about it, people lives was lost. familes are hurting. with all this other talk,pointing fingers not helping at all. my prayers goes out to everyone involved. no one want to be in this situation, and the torture, finger pointing is ridicules. TO all the families that is associated with this; i ask u to keep your head up; at least try. we know that its hard, but all you can do is let the man upstairs take it from here.
Posted by MARIE (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RIGHT ON PIMPCADDY. THATS ALL EVERYONE IS JUST GUESSING.
Posted by vidalia1 (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 12:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks peachpit, I was just wondering why it was brought up.So tragic...You are so right the entire area is affected.I
also feel that strong prayer is in order.pimpmr, well stated.....
Posted by cops (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 5:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is a cover-up to this mess! How is it that one (or two) of the cars involved have bullet holes? This accident has a a more sinister side to it and the public is being kept in the dark. The paper needs to send an investigative reporter in to uncover the 'half-truths' our police force(s) are feeding to us!
Posted by josey (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In another article about this story it tells about the bullet holes. They are from another incident involving the car.
Posted by emcain (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers goes out to the Banks family. Its seems hard to imiagine losing a Mother, Grandmother, Son and a Nephew in the same day. Lou-Lou and the rest of the Banks family I know its hard for you right now but God has all the answers you may can't see it right now but prayer will help you through this. I wil continue to pray for your family.
Posted by fine_azz_in_camo (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OBVIOUSLY IT HAS ALOT TO DO WITH IT U SEE THAT MY COMMENT WAS ERASED FROM YESTERDAY!!! ALL I KNOW IS ALCOHOL MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED BUT THE PPL WHO CAUSED IT ARE PROBABLY WORRIED FREE AND HAVE MOVED. SOME OF THE CONVENIENT STORES HAVE CAMERAS AND IF THEY HAVENT CHECKED THOSE VIDEOS FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD MAYBE THATS A GOOD START!!!!
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fine_azz, I don't mean to pry, but have you given the police your statement? I remember reading your very first post and you saying that this was a wake up call. I hope you are able to help others by sharing what you witnessed and explaining the dangers of what surrounded this accident. I realize you weren't involved in the actual accident, but you were right there immediately afterwards. Your words and story could save others from making the same mistakes. Good luck to you.
Posted by jnarts (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please don't post any comments for one day in honor of these families.Thanks J.Nelson.
Posted by fine_azz_in_camo (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YES
Posted by srob (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
um guys, this isn't CSI. it doesn't take less than a week to solve a crime/incident like on TV. This could take months, even years, considering there are likely people coming forward who werent even there, trying to "help" or telling stories they've heard, or just making up stuff to be in the limelight. you have to realize that this is going to take longer, and even then, we may NEVER know what happened. just because there is an investigation doesn't mean it will ever be solved. there will be many theories, but no one knows what happened except those involved, and the key bits of info may have only been held by those who have passed because of this. don't be so impatient, and give the cops the time they need to solve a case. would you prefer they jump to conclusions and blame the wrong people? i wouldn't! these things take time, people, and they are not required to tell ANYONE ANYTHING until they feel like it. we are lucky we have been told all that we have.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on May 24, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This has been a very sad time for the Miss/Lou area with so many deaths.
PLEASE everyone wear you seatbelts!!!!
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye.
Life is too short to play stupid games especially on the bridge.
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