On the early morning of December 6, 2024, a devastating wrong-way crash occurred on Interstate 55, close to Daniel Lake Boulevard in Jackson, Mississippi, resulting in six fatalities. As per the Jackson Police Department’s report, around 2:45 a.m., a southbound Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck collided head-on with a Hyundai Sonata, carrying five passengers, while in the northbound lanes.
Sharon Grisham-Stewart, the Hinds County Coroner, identified the deceased as Jose Ferragut, 23, from Scott County, who was operating the Chevrolet Silverado, and the Hyundai Sonata’s driver, Henri Perez, 30, from Copiah County. The other victims in the Hyundai Sonata, all Copiah County residents, were Angelita Avendano, 34, Ezekiel Perez, 6, Juana Alonzo, 18, and Francisco Lopez, 18. All six people were declared dead at the accident scene.
The Jackson Police Department expressed its sympathies, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims of this tragic event.” The investigation into the collision’s circumstances is currently ongoing.
Darnika Mayfield, a Mississippi Highway Patrol officer, stressed the importance of complying with the state’s left-lane passing law to avoid wrong-way crashes. She noted that drivers suffering from medical conditions or impairments could mistakenly think they are driving in the correct direction while in the wrong lane. Therefore, she underscored the importance of drivers staying in the right lane unless overtaking and returning to the right lane immediately after passing another car.
The authorities are investigating factors such as possible driver impairment, road conditions, and vehicle performance to establish the collision’s cause. While wrong-way driving events are relatively uncommon, they often lead to severe consequences due to high velocity.
The National Transportation Safety Board has previously pointed out the risks of these crashes, underscoring the necessity for preventive measures, including better signage and road design.
About 3.7% of fatal crashes on divided highways in the United States are due to wrong-way driving. This leads to an average of 500 deaths per year from 2015 to 2018, marking a 34% increase from the 375 deaths per year between 2010 and 2014.
The situation in Mississippi is particularly alarming. In 2020, the state recorded the highest traffic accident mortality rate per 100,000 people. Factors contributing to these high statistics include impaired driving, distracted driving, and substandard road infrastructure. On June 22, 2024, another wrong-way crash on Interstate 55 in Gluckstadt, Mississippi resulted in one fatality and three injuries.
Wrong-way driving is a major concern nationwide. In November 2024, a wrong-way driver in Southlake, Texas, collided with multiple cars and was involved in a police shootout.
These incidents highlight the critical need for more effective strategies to prevent wrong-way driving and improve road safety across the country.
