Three people lost their lives, and two others were hospitalized after a car crash in Marshall County, Mississippi, on January 4. According to news reports, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fatal two-car accident around 8 p.m. in Byhalia. Preliminary reports show that a Byhalia Police Department officer was pursuing a GMC Acardia at a high rate of speed before crashing into a Ford F-150 near the intersection of St. Paul Road and Dockery Drive.
The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene, along with a passenger in the truck. Two others involved in the crash were sent to a local hospital and are listed in critical condition.
A third person, a bystander, was injured in the collision. She was taken to Regional One for her injuries, where she was later pronounced dead.
There is no word as to why the police were chasing the driver of the SUV.
Police Chase Car Accidents: What You Should Know
In Mississippi, police pursuit policies vary by jurisdiction, but state law enforcement agencies follow very specific guidelines. Many local police departments and the Mississippi Highway Patrol have implemented pursuit police that balance public safety and law enforcement needs. Because of the many rural areas across our state, it’s not uncommon for lengthy police chances along long stretches of highway. Because of this, many departments require supervisory approval to continue a pursuit beyond a certain time or distance.
When a police chase leads to a car accident in Mississippi, it’s important to know that injury victims do have the right to pursue compensation against multiple parties, including the fleeing suspect, the police department involved in the chase, and even the local government. Since Mississippi uses a pure comparative negligence system, victims can recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident.
However, it’s important to note that standard auto insurance policies may exclude coverage for any damages during a police chase, and injury victims may have to rely on their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to pay for the expenses. That’s why it’s always important to speak to an experienced Mississippi car accident attorney to know your rights and how you can recover your losses following a car accident. Contact Giddens Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.
Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Mississippi. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Giddens Law Firm as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.