LAWRENCE COUNTY — A Vicksburg man who was killed early Sunday when the vehicle he was driving overturned during a law enforcement pursuit in Lawrence County had a missing juvenile in the vehicle with him, authorities said.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 1:18 a.m. on Oct. 12 on Highway 43. Troopers said a 2015 Nissan Altima driven by 42-year-old Michael Lyons of Vicksburg was traveling south when it left the roadway and overturned.
The pursuit was a result of a preliminary investigation by LCSO in which a 15-year-old girl had been reported missing by her mother. He said the family suspected that she might be with Lyons. While officers were on the scene, Lyons drove past the house and seeing officers, sped away.
Everett said law enforcement was told the 15-year-old’s aunt had been in a relationship with Lyons. At this point, deputies are not sure what Lyons was doing with the juvenile. Deputies pursued Lyons’ vehicle after seeing him pass the home.
Lyons died at the scene of the crash, officials said. The juvenile suffered serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Everett said he has reviewed the dash camera footage and the deputy followed procedure and did not use a pit maneuver.
The Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate. Lawrence County continues to investigate why Lyons had the juvenile with him.
