Holiday weekend highways quiet

By Julie Finley (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Monday, July 7, 2008

NATCHEZ — The holiday weekend was a relatively safe one in the Miss-Lou with only one traffic-related injury.

Troop M of the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to the two-car accident on U.S. 61 North in front of the Mobil station Friday.

One car was turning into the gas station when another vehicle rear-ended it, Sgt. Rusty Boyd said. The driver of the car turning into the station reported some pain, but the injuries were minor, Boyd said.

In the Natchez city limits, four minor accidents were reported, none with injuries.

Local and state authorities upped patrols and roadblocks over the weekend in an effort to cut back on accidents and drunk driving.

Typically, when residents know the officers are out in force, problems are less frequent, Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins has said.

In the nine-county region that Troop M covers, 10 traffic accidents were reported. Two of the accidents were alcohol related. Seven injuries were reported.

Troopers made 24 DUI arrests over the nine counties.

The Troop M area includes Wilkinson, Jefferson and Franklin counties among others.

In Concordia Parish, Louisiana State Police Troop “E” investigated two alcohol-related accidents, one shortly before midnight July 3 and one July 4, both of which resulted in arrests.

The driver of the July 3 accident suffered moderate to severe injuries and was treated before being charged, state police officials said.

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated three minor accidents during the weekend, and two men were charged with DWI at the CPSO Saturday.