By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
Sept. 5, 2001
Three separate accidents since Tuesday afternoon have claimed the life of one man and sent several others, including a toddler, to local hospitals.
Sgt. Ronnie Carter of the Mississippi Highway Patrol said Trooper Roy Benamon is still investigating a Tuesday accident in which 85-year-old Dalton Wilkinson of Enterprise was killed.
Carter said Benamon witnessed the accident. The 1981 Ford pick up truck in which Wilkinson was riding apparently left the roadway for no reason.
The accident occurred about 10 miles south of Meridian on Interstate 59 in the southbound lane. Wilkinson's body has been sent for autopsy in Jackson to determine the exact cause of death, said Lauderdale County Coroner Marl Cobler.
Troopers were also working a two-car early morning accident that reportedly injured a toddler. That accident occurred near Briarwood along Highway 39 North.
Troopers were still trying to compile information on the accident at press time.
While MHP troopers attended that accident, Lauderdale County Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene of a one-car accident on Causeyville Road.
Deputies were trying to determine what caused that car to roll over, sending three people to area hospitals.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for the Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3236, or e-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.