A Saturday morning wreck on Highway 45 South left one Columbus man dead and another two in the hospital, according to a report released by Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant.
The wreck happened at about 3:45 a.m. when a 1997 Toyota Camry traveling north and driven by 20-year-old Anthony Skipper left the road, struck a culvert and flipped.
During the wreck, Skipper, 20-year-old Juvante Williams and 25-year-old Johnathan Hughes were thrown from the car and landed along the side of the road, about nine miles south of Columbus, Merchant explained.
“Skipper was pronounced dead on the scene, and the other two were transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital (Golden Triangle),” said Merchant.
“Speed is thought to be a factor in causing the accident,” Merchant said. “I haven”t seen the report stating if they were wearing seat belts or not, but it seems doubtful since all three of them were ejected from the vehicle.”
As of Saturday night, Williams and Hughes remained in the hospital, though BMH-GT officials declined to release their conditions.
Investigation of the wreck is ongoing, and is being handled by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
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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