Investigators have identified and interviewed at least one person of interest who may be connected to Sunday’s hit-and-run fatality on U.S. Highway 82 but had not made any arrests as of Wednesday, a Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesperson confirmed.
MPH Sgt. Criss Turnipseed said the state crime lab is continuing to analyze debris left after the impact that killed 25-year-old Cason Bryant Park, a former Marine from Gordo, Ala., about 4 a.m. Friday.
Park was struck by an unknown vehicle about 4 a.m. near Center Grove, where he was pronounced dead by Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt.
Investigators said Park apparently left the vehicle he was driving, a Chevrolet Impala registered to a family member, on the side of the road with its hazard lights flashing and walked about a quarter-mile west before he was hit.
The unknown vehicle, which is believed to be silver in color and to have damage to its front and left sides, fled the scene.
“This young man was a Marine who fought for and served our country. It is only right to do what we can to solve this crime and bring the driver to justice,” MHP’s Troop G Twitter account published Monday.
Anyone with information on the incident or that has seen a vehicle fitting the description is urged to contact MHP at 662-323-5314 and ask for the accident reconstruction division.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Gordo’s Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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