By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
April 9, 2001
Lauderdale County accident investigators will continue to look into the cause of a late Saturday night accident that claimed the life of a 16-year-old Lauderdale County girl.
Ashley Brooke Pepple, who would have turned 17 on Good Friday, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sheriff Billy Sollie. He said the accident occurred just before midnight on Chapel Road, about a half mile north of Briarwood Road.
Pepple's body was transported to Jackson on Sunday for autopsy. The initial autopsy report had not been returned as of early today, said Lauderdale County Coroner Marl Cobler.
Sollie said Pepple was killed after the car in which she was riding left the road and struck a driveway culvert. The car overturned in the accident and the girl ejected from the car. Sollie said Pepple was not wearing a seatbelt.
Pepple was killed as she drove north to her home on Chapel Road, about a quarter mile from her home, Sollie said.
The department's advanced accident investigation team was called to the scene to collect evidence.
Meanwhile, arrangements for Pepple's funeral were incomplete at Barham Funeral Home today.
Pepple's death marks the fifth fatality on county roads this year.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.