On Friday, July 14, at approximately 1:45 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on Highway 49 in Stone County.

A 2018 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 24-year-old Erica Ballard of Biloxi, MS, traveled south on Highway 49 when it collided with a 1993 Volkswagen Van driven by 53-year-old Michael Shaffer of Gulfport, MS.

The Volkswagen van was towed by a 2006 Chevrolet Express van, driven by 55-year-old Vincent Montgomery of Gulfport, MS.

The Chevrolet and Volkswagen Van were traveling east from Beaver Dam Road onto Highway 49.

Michael Shaffer received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.

This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.