KILMICHAEL – Two young men were killed last week when their vehicle reportedly hydroplaned and hit a tree. Authorities said James Shirley, 17, of Winona, and William E. Malone, 21, of Kilmichael, were traveling on U.S. Highway 413, near Kemp Lane, just after 7 p.m., on June 28, when Shirley’s truck, a 2001 Ford F-250 left the roadway.
“It appeared they hydroplaned,” said Sgt. Ben Williams of the Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop D in Greenwood. “They left the roadway on the west side and collided with a tree on the vehicle’s right side.”
Williams said it was raining the day of the accident and the weather may have been a factor.
Shirley and his passenger, Malone, were both pronounced dead at the scene by the Montgomery County Coroner.
Williams said neither victim was wearing a seatbelt.
The accident remains under investigation.
Tchula man killed in motorcycle crash
A 47-year old man from Tchula was killed on June 26 when he rear-ended another car with his motorcycle. Roger Miles was pronounced dead at the scene on June 26 after authorities said he collided with Annie Barber of Sidon.
The accident occurred around 11:30 p.m., on U.S. Highway 49 south in Greenwood.
Miles and Barber were traveling south when Miles hit Barber from behind and flipped over on his motorcycle. Authorities said Miles came to a final rest on the west side of the highway in a ditch. He was pronounced by the Leflore County Coroner.
Barber was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured. Authorities said no criminal charges were filed against Barber.
The accident remains under investigation.
Pastor and his wife killed in rollover
A Greenville minister and his wife were killed coming from church last month, when their vehicle rolled over several times. On June 13, Alonzo Wallace, 59, was coming from his church in Merigold and was traveling south on U.S. Highway 61. Authorities said he was driving a 2001 GMC pick up truck. His wife, Bobbie, was the only passenger.
Sgt. Ben Williams said Wallace was just north of Leland when he lost control of the truck, flipped several times and came to rest in the northbound lane upside down.
Wallace was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, Bobbie, was transported to University Medical Center and she died two days later.
Williams said a witness to the accident said she saw the Wallace’s vehicle cross the median and flip over.
Woman hits semi-truck head on
A Madison woman was killed last month when authorities said she crossed the median and collided with an 18-wheeler. Thirty-seven year old Jenny Burton, died instantly on June 11 when she left the northbound lane on I-55 and crossed into the southbound lane.
Sgt. Ben Williams said Burton was alone and driving a 2001 Chevy Tahoe around the 155 mile marker in Carroll County. Williams said for some reason, Burton crossed the median and came in the direct path of a 2007 Volvo 18-wheeler driven by John Zumwalt, of Amite, Louisiana.
Zumwalt, 42, told authorities he saw Burton heading toward his truck.
“He said he saw her coming and tried to get over,” Sgt. Williams said. “But she kept coming and coming and crashed right into him.”
Williams said the accident is being reconstructed to determine why Burton crossed the lane and how fast she was going.
“There were no skid marks or anything like that,” he said. “It’s just very, very tragic.”
Zumwalt was not injured and Williams said Zumwalt and Burton were both wearing seatbelts.
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