Highway Patrol investigates 116 crashes during the holiday period, including three fatalities

The Mississippi Highway Patrol ended its Christmas holiday travel period at midnight, Dec. 25.

During certain heavy travel periods, MHP beefs up the numbers of troopers patrolling the highways to ensure Mississippians arrive home, or at the homes of loved ones, safely.

Between Monday, Dec. 23 at 12:01 a.m. and last night, officers issued 2,544 traffic citations, made 39 DUI arrests and investigated 116 crashes, 27 of which included injuries. Three people died on the roads.

All three deaths occurred in single car incidents, and all are under investigation. They are:

• John A Lumbley, 24, of Vicksburg, who died Dec. 23 at 12:56 a.m. on Highway 27 in Hinds County. Lumbley’s 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor left the road, overturned and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
• Linda C. McMinn, 78, of Mooreville, who died Dec. 25 around 1:25 p.m. on Highway 178 in Lee County. McMinn was in a 2013 Chrysler vehicle that left the roadway and collided with a tree. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
• Erik G. Miller, 30, of Crystal Springs, who died Dec. 25 around 8:37 p.m. on Highway 51 in Copiah County. Miller was driving a Mercedes Benz that left the road and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead on the scene.