The first crash occurred on Highway 17 near Pickens in Holmes County around 7:30 p.m. on September 9, 2025.

Troopers said a 2018 Nissan Altima was traveling south on the highway when it left the road and collided with an embankment. The driver, 41-year-old Michael Sims, of Pickens, died at the scene.

The second crash occurred on Highway 14 near Goodman in Attala County around 8:30 p.m. on September 9, 2025.

According to MHP, a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt was traveling east on the highway when it collided with a 2015 Jeep Compass that was traveling west. The driver of the Chevrolet, 52-year-old Gayla Jones, of Goodman, died at the scene. The driver of the Jeep, 20-year-old Reggie Carter, of Kosciusko, received non-life-threatening injuries.

Both crashes remain under investigation by MHP.