The Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Period concluded Sunday, November 26th, at midnight. The
period began on Wednesday, November 22nd. The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued 6,766
citations, made 109 arrests for impaired driving, and investigated 169 crashes resulting in 43
injuries with three fatal crashes and three deaths. The fatal crashes occurred in Jackson, Copiah,
and Choctaw Counties.

Fatal Crash: Vehicle vs Pedestrian, Jackson County, 11/22/23

On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol
responded to a fatal crash on Highway 63 in Jackson County involving a pedestrian.
A 2000 Honda Civic driven by Richard Thomas, 55, of Moss Point, MS, was traveling north on
Highway 63. Jesiah Cady, 33, of Jackson, MS, was walking south on Highway 63 in the northbound
lane. The Honda Civic collided with Jesiah Cady, who received fatal injuries from the crash and
was pronounced dead on the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Fatal Crash: Copiah County, 11/22/23

On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at approximately 4:50 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol
responded to a single-vehicle crash on MS 27 in Copiah County.
A 2008 Volkswagen driven by 49-year-old Deangelo Kelly was traveling south on MS Highway 27
when it ran off the road and collided with a ditch. Deangelo Kelly received fatal injuries from the crash
and was pronounced dead on the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Fatal Crash: Choctaw County, 11/25/23

On Saturday, November 25, 2023, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol
responded to a fatal crash on McGee-Thompson Road in Choctaw County.
A 2012 Mercedes Benz driven by 42-year-old Westley Jermont Ashford of Weir, MS, traveled west on
MeGee-Thompson Road when the vehicle left the right side of the roadway and overturned. Westley
Ashford received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

THANKSGIVING TRAVEL PERIOD ENFORCEMENT OVERVIEW

2023 Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Totals

• Citations – 6766
• Seatbelt and Child Restraint – 875
• DUI’s – 109
• Drug Related Arrest – 45
• Crashes – 169
• Fatal Crashes – 3
• Fatalities – 3
• Motorist Assist – 85

2022 Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Totals

• Citations – 9170
• Seatbelt and Child Restraint – 645
• DUI’s – 172
• Drug Related Arrest – 39
• Crashes – 212
• Fatal Crashes – 6
• Fatalities – 6
• Motorist Assist – 104