News Briefs From Across The State
Victim had a birthday the day before she was killed
A Gulfport woman was killed Saturday when police said she drove head-on into traffic while driving the wrong way. Heather Nichole Delaughter was pronounced dead at the scene after authorities said she drove for more than a mile in the wrong direction on U.S. Highway 110.
Delaughter was driving a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer northbound in the southbound lane.
Authorities said when Delaughter topped a bridge on the 110, she ran right onto oncoming traffic hitting at least three other vehicles. Those three drivers were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Delaughter, who turned 27-years old the day before, leaves behind a small daughter.
Cigarette store burns down
Ocean Springs police are investigating a weekend fire that destroyed a south Mississippi cigarette store. Firefighters responded to Jr. Cigarette Discount Store about 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 24, and the store was fully engulfed in flames.
Investigators believe the fire began in the kitchen and firefighters had to break the front glass of the store to get in and battle the blaze.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Man found inside burning car
Authorities in Copiah County said a 48-year old man is dead after his car caught fire Sunday night and then set his house on fire. Officials said Merwen Tolson had just returned from a party down the street when he pulled into the garage of his home in the 1100 block of Byrdtown Road.
Authorities don’t know how Tolson’s vehicle caught fire or why he didn’t exit the vehicle.
A neighbor saw the garage on fire and alerted authorities. When firefighters arrived the house was fully involved.
There was no one else in the home and an autopsy and toxicology have been ordered for Tolson.
The fire remains under investigation.
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