Man shot and killed on I-55

News Briefs From Across The State

No suspects in custody

Authorities say a Nebraska man has died after being shot while driving on Interstate 55 in north Mississippi.

Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Joey Miller said the man’s identity is being withheld pending the notification of his family.

Miller said approximately five shots were fired early Tuesday into the southbound car on the interstate in Panola County. It’s not clear if the shots were fired from another vehicle or from the side of the interstate.

The man’s car crashed into a divider in the median. He was alone in the vehicle and no other motorists were hurt. The shooting happened Tuesday about 1:40 a.m.

1 dead in Jackson crash

Jackson police say a 67-year-old man died in a crash involving three vehicles.

WAPT reports that the accident happened about 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 7.

Police say Willie Butler, of Jackson, was driving a pickup that crashed into a car that was trying to turn left on a city street. The pickup truck also hit another car that was trying to turn right.

Police say Butler died and four other people were injured. Their conditions were not immediately available.

Police say it was not immediately known if Butler died as a result of the crash, or because of a medical condition.

The crash is under investigation.

MDOT working to reduce costs

The Mississippi Department of Transportation is working to reduce its fleet of vehicles by 10 percent over the next five years, according to transportation commissioner Mike Tagert.

Tagert, who represents the northern district, says MDOT has a fleet of 2,300 vehicles. He says any reduction would not affect 300 emergency vehicles.

The Daily Times Leader reports that Tagert said in a civic club speech May 3, that the step was being taken because of the rising cost of fuel.

Tagert said after adding up the cost of diesel fuel used in almost every MDOT vehicle in every Mississippi county, MDOT is faced with a massive fuel bill. He said MDOT is planning to look at current fuel prices, find an indexed price and begin purchasing fuel at a bulk price to save money.

Tagert said he believes with the reduction of the fleet, MDOT will save tens of millions of dollars “in terms of fuel consumption,” and additional road maintenance projects can be carried out with the savings.

“We can’t affect the fuel price, but maybe we can affect how much fuel we have to purchase,” Tagert said.

Teenager shot at street intersection

Tupelo police continue to investigate an overnight shooting. Detective Capt. Tim Tate tells WTVA that a 17-year-old was shot at the intersection of West Main Street and Thomas Street around 12:45 a.m., May 5.

Tate says officers were first notified the shooting happened at Dodge’s Chicken Store. He says when officers arrived, the victim had been taken to the hospital by private vehicle with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators believe an altercation began at Dodge’s and continued onto West Main Street.

Two cars were also hit by stray bullets, Tate said.

Police are looking for a white Chevrolet Impala with damage to the passenger side of the vehicle.

Woman escapes as car burns on I-55

WLBT is reporting that a Hinds County woman watched her car go up in smoke last Sunday afternoon after hearing the vehicle making “a funny noise.”

The woman, who was not named, was driving on I-55 when smoke started pouring from underneath the hood.

The motorist exited the vehicle and was assisted by the driver of an 18-wheeler until the Jackson Fire Department arrived on the scene and put out the blaze.

The woman was not injured, but her vehicle was a total loss.

Hattiesburg Police add new officers

A 15 week training class has produced 10 new officers for the Hattiesburg Police Department.

The American reports the department’s 30th academy recruit class graduated in a ceremony at the Lake Terrace Convention Center.

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree swore in nine men and one woman.

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