JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - Around 20 vehicles were involved in a massive multi-vehicle crash along U.S. Highway 84 in Jones County Wednesday morning.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol reports that nine people were injured and were taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance.
Jones County emergency officials report several others were evaluated for minor injuries on the scene but declined medical treatment.
According to Jones County Fire Council Public Information Officer Dana Bumgardner, Pleasant Ridge; Hebron; Calhoun; Powers and Soso volunteer fire departments responded to the crash shortly after 6:30 a.m., near the US 84 intersection on Ben Pitts Road.
The Jones County Sheriff’s Department said around 20 vehicles were involved, including 18-wheelers and an overturned log truck.
Bumgardner said firefighters quickly started providing emergency care to the injured, began traffic control and started extricating a person from the overturned log truck who was trapped inside. The extrication took about 35 minutes, according to Bumgardner.
According to Bumgardner, injuries appeared to range from minor to moderate. The Jones County Emergency Operations Center confirmed that there were no fatalities.
According to MHP Troop J Public Affairs Officer, Taylor Shows, the extreme fog conditions in the area contributed to the crash. He says the incident serves as a reminder to adjust speeds for weather conditions.
US 84 West was shut down at the Covington County line to the scene for several hours while emergency care, extrication and cleanup was being done, according to Bumgardner.
The Jones County Fire Council thanks the efforts of each agency that responded to help and render aid, from personnel from the Laurel Police and Fire Departments to the Covington County Ambulance Service and Sheriff’s Office.
Additionally, the Fire Council also extended thanks to the citizens who were passing by and offered help, as Firefighters reported a diesel mechanic helped with controlling a fuel leak in the log truck while firefighters extricated the trapped person, loggers who helped in clearing the way for firefighters to reach the trapped person and many others.
“It is truly heartening how our community comes together when there are hard times,” Bumgardner said.
The Jones County Sheriff’s Department and MHP also were on the scene.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol will handle the investigation of the crash.
Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2024 WDAM. All rights reserved.