A Poplarville man was killed during a single vehicle accident on Highway 53 near Savannah Millard Road on July 13.
Shortly after midnight that day, a black Toyota Camry left the roadway and struck a tree. The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department was at the scene until Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers arrived, Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said.
Initial reports from deputies state the driver and front passenger were able to exit the vehicle through the passenger side window after the accident, but the rear passenger was partially ejected, Tucker said.
The ejected passenger was identified as Egan Delaney Poolson, 25, of Poplarville, and was pronounced at the scene, Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage said.
Turnage said Poolson’s cause of death was ruled as blunt force trauma to the head and chest.
Deputies reported that the driver and passenger smelled of alcohol, Tucker said.
The driver, identified by MHP Public Information Officer Chase Elkins as David Wilkinson, 28, of Poplarville, refused to answer questions before being transported to Forrest General Hospital, Tucker said.
Elkins said there are no charges against Wilkinson at this time.
Wilkinson and the second passenger reportedly complained of pain, Elkins said.
The accident remains under investigation but the initial cause is listed as loss of control of the vehicle, Elkins said.