A traffic accident on Highway 45 near Scooba claimed the life of Davishe Walker of West Point. Walker, a freshman, was an honors student at East Mississippi Community College and a member of the concert choir and marching band.
Walker, 19, of 313 Mhoon Valley Loop in West Point, died at around 8:15 p.m. Monday.
She was riding in the front passenger seat of a friend”s vehicle when the car was struck from the side by a southbound Ford pickup truck as it made a left turn.
The car Walker was traveling in reportedly failed to yield or stop as it made the turn.
Walker was pronounced dead on the scene from internal injuries and a possible broken neck, said Kemper County Coroner Kathy Lanier.
“It is always tragic when a young person with such promise is called home early. In difficult times like these, we take our lead from our college president, Dr. Rick Young, who believes in nurturing the minds, bodies and spirits of our students,” said Dr. Jacqueline Stennis, vice president of EMCC”s Scooba campus.
“We”re doing everything we can to assist the students as they deal with their shock and grief. We held a prayer service last night at the chapel, and we”re planning a memorial service on campus at a time when Ms. Walker”s family can attend. Counselors and clergy were on campus last night, and will be available throughout the week for any student who needs prayer, counsel or guidance.”
Three other EMCC students, whose names are not being released, were injured in the collision and transported to Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, where they were reported to be in stable condition. The driver of the Ford pickup truck was unharmed.
“The EMCC family is in mourning,” Stennis said. “Our prayers are with the Walker family, and the families of the other students involved in the accident. May God grant them peace.”
Walker was a 2009 graduate of West Point High School.
West Point High School Principal Tim Fowler said grief counselors were available to students at the school.
“They are handling it pretty well,” said Fowler.
Noxubee man dies in one-vehicle wreck
A Noxubee County man died early Monday morning in a one-vehicle accident three miles south of Shuqualak on Highway 45 South, the Mississippi Highway Patrol reported.
Clarence Simpson, 60, of Shuqualak, was driving a white 1992 Lincoln Town Car when his vehicle drove off the road and collided with a culvert shortly after 1 a.m.
Simpson was pronounced dead on the scene by Noxubee County Coroner R. L. Calhoun.
Simpson was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to MHP.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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