Last weekend, the Picayune Police Department responded to two accidents, both involving smaller modes of transportation: a bicycle and motorcycle.
The first accident occurred on Aug. 20 at 3:56 p.m., Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri said.
The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 29-year-old Amanda Musmeci of Picayune, was merging onto the northbound lane of Interstate 59 at exit 4, Magri said.
Musmeci was in the right lane and started merging into the left lane when she realized there was a motorcycle in the left lane, Magri said.
Her car did not collide with the motorcycle, but her maneuver caused the driver, later identified as 58-year-old Richard Hurt of Martinez, Georgia, to veer off the roadway and crash, causing heavy damage to his motorcycle, Magri added.
An ambulance was dispatched to the scene where EMS personnel tended to Hurt’s complaints of pain, but he wasn’t transported to the hospital, Magri said.
The second accident occurred on Aug. 21 at 8:56 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 43 North and Beech Street, Magri said.
The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 61-year-old Richard Ellingson of Picayune, was attempting to turn westbound onto Highway 43 North from Beech Street, Magri said.
A bicyclist, later identified as 27-year-old Adam Mason of Picayune, was traveling south on Liberty Road attempting to cross Highway 43 when the front bumper of Ellingson’s vehicle collided with the front the tire of the bicycle, Magri said.
Mason complained of pain and an ambulance was dispatched to the scene, but no one was transported to the hospital, Magri said.
Magri would like to remind motorists and bicyclists to remember these safety tips when on the road.
“If you’re riding a bike (bicycle) at night, have a headlight on front and a flashing red light on the back of the bike,” Magri said. “We also recommend wearing reflective clothing material that will be visible to drivers. Anytime you’re merging onto a roadway or attempting to change lanes, don’t just look in the side mirrors. If you can, turn and physically look because there are blind spots in the mirrors, which makes it hard to see people on motorcycles.”