A Picayune woman was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on Highway 43 South Friday evening.
Leisha Deneane Whitfield, 56, died of blunt force trauma due to the motor vehicle collision, Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage said.
The accident occurred at about 5:20 p.m., when a 2003 blue Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 17-year-old Picayune resident, collided with the driver’s side of Whitfield’s green 2002 Toyota Camry near the intersection of Highway 43 South and Salem Road, according to a Mississippi Highway Patrol press release.
The Silverado was reportedly traveling north on Highway 43 when it struck the Camry that was leaving Salem Road, the release states.
The driver of the Silverado reported no injuries, while an 18-year-old passenger of the truck was transported to Slidell Memorial Hospital in a private vehicle for treatment of minor injuries, according to the release.
A 5-year-old passenger of the Camry was airlifted to Forrest General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. An update of the child’s condition was unknown by press time Monday.
The incident remains under investigation by MHP.
Several collisions have occurred in that area of Highway 43 South in recent years.
According to previous coverage, two people were injured in a head-on collision that occurred on October 11, 2014 when one driver crossed the centerline.
Another head-on collision occurred on February 20, 2016 near the intersection of Salem Chapel Road, just north of Salem Road, when the driver of a Ford F-150 crossed the centerline. The truck burst into flames while emergency responders used the Jaws of Life to extricate a woman out of a car that was struck by the truck, according to previous coverage. The woman received treatment for serious, life-threatening injuries.
On September 22, 2015 a school bus traveling north on the highway was struck from behind, resulting in moderate injuries to the driver, previous coverage states.
Detailed records regarding the accident rate in that area was unavailable from MHP.