One Killed In Hwy. 7 Accident
Hwy. 7 Fatality – A trooper from the Mississippi Highway Patrol examines a 1997 GMC Jimmy that left the highway and rolled over several times Friday morning just north of the Water Valley city limits. The crash took the life of Natasha Woodard. – Photo by Jack Gurner
MHP Prepares For Holiday Traffic
By Jack Gurner
Reporter
WATER VALLEY – A blowout is believed to be the cause of a Friday morning vehicle crash that took the life of Natasha N. Woodard, 24, of 7689 CR 436.
Woodard was southbound on Hwy. 7 less than a half mile north of the Water Valley city limits when her 1997 GMC Jimmy went off the right side of the highway, according to Sgt. Leslie White of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
“The vehicle flipped several times and the driver was ejected,” Sgt. White said.
The incident occurred about 10:06 a.m. in Lafayette County and units from the Water Valley Police Department assisted with traffic control awaiting arrival of the MHP.
Woodard had appeared in a Herald photograph last week at the opening of Callie’s Creations, a business operated by her grandmother, Callie Woodard.
Stepped-up Enforcement
Sgt White also reported that the MHP will again step up its enforcement during the holiday period beginning Wednesday and continuing through midnight Sunday.
“You will see a marked increase in the number of troopers on the roads,” Sgt White said.
The troopers will be targeting high crash areas and will be implementing checkpoints for sobriety, drivers’ licenses and insurance, as well as seatbelt usage.
In addition, White reminded motorists of the “Move Over” law instituted in July. The new law requires drivers to move at least one lane away when approaching emergency vehicles parked on the roadside with lights flashing.
“If a lane change is impossible, the driver must slow and be prepared to stop,” White said.
The MHP encourages motorists to observe all traffic laws during the holiday period. “Do not drink and drive, buckle up and have a safe holiday,” White added.
