Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said Marcal Joshua Collins, 38, was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison following his guilty plea to two counts of aggravated DUI.

The crash occurred on August 21, 2023, on Interstate 20 near the Crossgates exit in Brandon. The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) and other law enforcement agencies discovered that a Dodge Ram, driven by Collins, had collided with a Honda Accord, driven by Ty O’Neal and carrying his mother, Hattie Lorene O’Neal.

Authorities said Hattie O’Neal died due to injuries sustained during the wreck.

Authorities determined Collins had been driving the wrong way on the interstate and caused the head-on collision. Due to a strong odor of alcohol, Bramlett said officers suspected Collins of DUI. They said he admitted to having several vodka drinks, and officers recovered two vodka bottles from his truck. Collins’ blood alcohol content was .191.