The Poplarville Police Department recently responded to two incidents – one involving a stolen vehicle, and the other involving an alleged drunk driving accident that left one young boy severely injured.

According to a statement released by the Poplarville Police Department, officers responded to a call around 9:10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29. The complainant reported that her 2013 Chevrolet Equinox was missing from her driveway, the release states.

After discovering the vehicle was equipped with OnStar, officers contacted the service, which informed the officers that the vehicle was located in Petal, the release states. Poplarville Police Department officers contacted the Petal Police Department, who conducted a traffic stop and arrested the occupant of the vehicle, the release states.

Poplarville Police Capt. Rossie Creel traveled to Petal to interview the suspect, and the result of that interview concluded Colton Wayne Gipson, 23, of 4607 Old Highway Lane in Purvis was involved with the theft of the vehicle, leading him to be charged with felony taking of a motor vehicle, the release states.

Poplarville Police Chief Charlie Fazende said the vehicle sustained minor damage that looked to be intentional.

The damage involved a long scratch down its side, as though it had been keyed, said Fazende.

Gipson allegedly used the scratch to justify his possession of the vehicle, saying he was painting over it for a friend, said Creel.

Creel added that Gipson did not include that part of the story during his investigative interview.

Gipson is being held in the Forrest County Jail for a charge of possession of stolen property, and he will be transported to Poplarville upon his release to answer for his charges, the release states.

The vehicle was returned to the owner, the release states.

On Friday, Jan. 30, Poplarville Police Department responded to a motor vehicle accident around 7:20 p.m. The collision involved a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2005 Chevrolet Impala and took place at the intersection of U.S. Highway 26 East and Interstate 59, the release states.

An eight-year-old boy was in the back seat of the Impala at the time of the crash, and according to the release, he sustained serious injuries and had to be air-lifted to Mobile, Alabama for medical treatment.

Marcus B. Douget of 832 River Road in Hattiesburg was driving the Silverado at the time of the crash, and upon interviewing him, Poplarville Police officers detected an odor of alcohol on Douget’s breath, the release states.

Douget refused field sobriety and breathalyzer tests, so officers obtained a warrant to draw blood for testing, the release states.

Fazende said the results of the test have not yet been made available but officers expect to know more about the case once the evidence comes back from the crime lab.

Douget was charged with DUI with the refusal to administer to testing and causing injury enhancements and booked into the Pearl River County Jail, the release states.

Douget was released on a bond of $25,000, which was set by Municipal Court Judge James H. Breland, according to the release.

Fazende said the injured boy is back home with his family and doing well.