Driver charged in collision that claimed life

Published 4:30 pm Sunday, January 10, 2016

A two-car collision Sunday afternoon claimed the life of a Vicksburg native and led to charges for another.

Vicksburg police chief Walter Armstrong said a black Ford Thunderbird and a white Ford Crown Victoria were each headed southbound on North Washington Street just after 1 p.m. when they collided south of the Vicksburg National Cemetery.

The Thunderbird was driven by Eddie Patterson, who was later charged with aggravated DUI, Armstrong said.

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Jeffrey Jermaine King, 29, was the driver of the Crown Victoria, police said. He was killed when his vehicle wrapped around a utility pole, Armstrong said. King was a Vicksburg native, who was living in Texas, he said.

Warren County Deputy Coroner Kelda Bailess expects an autopsy to be performed on King’s body on Monday morning.

Police said Patterson lost control and skidded across the road and down onto railroad tracks. He then refused treatment on scene and was taken to the police department for questioning, Armstrong said. He was later taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure and was released back to the police department for further questioning before he was charged, Armstrong said.

Alura Barnes was a passenger in the Thunderbird, and was treated at the scene and released.

The two vehicles came to rest more than 500 feet apart from each other, Armstrong said. He said Sunday afternoon he was not sure which vehicle caused the collision, but a high rate of speed was likely a factor.

The portion of Washington Street between First East Street and Haining Road was closed to traffic Sunday afternoon.