A head-on collision in Lowndes County Friday has killed one and left five others suffering from moderate to serious injuries.
According to Master Sgt. Criss Turnipseed of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Taji Shaheed Thomas, 23, of Columbus died after his 2006 Chevrolet Impala crossed into the eastbound lane of Highway 12 near Vail Road and struck a 2008 Nissan with five occupants at about 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Thomas was alive at the scene and was airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo where he was later pronounced dead.
All five occupants of the Nissan were injured. The driver, Melissa Robinson, 30, was airlifted to University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center with serious injuries. The front passenger seat occupant, Matthew Robinson, 35, was airlifted to NMMC with moderate injuries. Three children riding in the back seat, ages 2, 5 and 11, suffered serious injuries and were also airlifted to the Tupelo hospital.
All five were from Preston.
Turnipseed said the accident is still under investigation.
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