Driver Charged After Bypass Crash
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Damage is visible to a vehicle struck by an alleged impaired driver Saturday at the intersection of Wise Street and Highway 7. Police arrested the drive of the second vehicle involved in the crash and charged him with Felony DUI.
WATER VALLEY — A 34-year-old Water Valley man was charged with felony DUI Saturday after allegedly causing a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Wise Street and Highway 7 and then leaving the scene on foot, according to Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum.
Andrew Russell “Drew” Kisner, 34, of Water Valley, was arrested following the 1:21 p.m. crash at the bypass intersection. Mangrum said officers were dispatched to the wreck after reports that one of the drivers was attempting to leave the scene. The incident occurred during an unusually busy afternoon for the department, with officers assigned to details at Solero’s Family Day event and Crawford Sports Complex. Mangrum, who was already assisting with a utility emergency involving a sparking transformer near Yalobusha General Hospital, investigated the crash and made the arrest.
According to Mangrum, the investigation determined that one vehicle was stopped at the Highway 315 intersection preparing to cross Highway 7 when a second vehicle traveling from the Wise Street side of the intersection crossed the center line and struck the stopped vehicle.
“The vehicle that was struck was stopped at the stop sign to cross the bypass and head north on Hwy. 315,” Mangrum said. “The other vehicle stopped at the stop sign, proceeded across the intersection and struck the vehicle that was stopped.”
Mangrum said the driver of the second vehicle left the scene on foot before officers arrived but later returned while emergency personnel were still working the crash.
Police determined Kisner was under the influence of a substance and arrested him on a felony DUI charge. Mangrum said officers learned during the investigation that Kisner had at least two prior DUI convictions through the Oxford Police Department, elevating the current charge to a felony.
Mangrum said officers also discovered marijuana during the investigation. Although Kisner reportedly presented a medical marijuana card, the card had expired and the marijuana was not stored in proper packaging. Additional charges could be considered as the case moves through the court system.
Police are also pursuing a charge of leaving the scene of an accident.
Four occupants — two adults and two young children — were inside the struck vehicle. Kisner was the sole occupant in the truck. All parties were evaluated at the scene by emergency medical personnel, but no one was transported by ambulance from the crash site.
Later Saturday evening, while being held at the Yalobusha County Jail, Kisner began experiencing medical issues that prompted officers to seek additional evaluation.
Mangrum said police consulted with command staff and determined it was in the best interest of both the city and the inmate to release Kisner on a recognizance bond so he could be transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.
Mangrum, who teaches Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement officers, said the decision was based on concerns about Kisner’s overall well-being.
The recognizance bond will be reviewed by the court at Kisner’s initial appearance. A judge will have the option of modifying or revoking the bond at that time.
Other activity reported by the chief includes:
• Water Valley Police officers, acting on information from the Mississippi Department of Corrections, located and arrested 59-year-old Luster Pomlee of Water Valley on an MDOC warrant for failure to report on May 30. During the arrest, officers discovered a rock of suspected crack cocaine concealed in Pomlee’s sock. In addition to the MDOC warrant, Pomlee was charged with possession of a controlled substance and transported to jail.
• Water Valley Police officers assisted the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department in serving an indictment on Michael Lee Houston on May 29. Houston was taken into custody without incident and transferred to the custody of Lafayette County authorities.
• While patrolling Main Street near Market Street on May 27, officers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and running a stop sign. A traffic stop was conducted, and officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. An open alcoholic beverage was also observed in the cup holder. After the driver exited the vehicle, officers detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage on her person. Although she initially denied consuming alcohol, officers observed signs of impairment and conducted a DUI investigation. The investigation determined the driver was over the legal limit. Kashadassey Chairse, 26, of Coffeeville, was arrested and charged with DUI first offense. She was also cited for running a stop sign and no proof of insurance. Officers further learned Chairse had outstanding warrants and unpaid fines through the Town of Coffeeville and Justice Court, which also had to be addressed.
• Yalobusha County deputies conducted a traffic stop on Amber Brown and discovered she had an active civil contempt warrant through the City of Water Valley. Brown was arrested and transported to Water Valley, where she was booked into jail.
