PRENTISS COUNTY, MS – On August 22, 2018, at approximately 3:13 p.m., the Natchez Trace Parkway Communications Center received notification of a 2-vehicle collision near Dennis, MS (milepost 291). U.S. Park Rangers, Prentiss County Sheriff’s Deputies, Booneville Fire Department, and Baptist Ambulance Service responded to the scene.
Chief Ranger Sarah Davis
Preliminary investigation indicates a Ford F-250, operated by Joseph Witt, 71, of Belmont, MS, crossed the center line and hit a Honda Accord operated by Danny Joe Eaton, 68, of Dennis, MS. Eaton was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Prentiss County Coroner.
The Parkway Chief Ranger’s Office reports that this is the second collision which resulted in a fatality in the last three weeks, and both involved head-on collisions. “We had gone nine months without a motor vehicle fatality and now we’ve had two in less than 20 days, including the loss of one of our own employees,” stated Chief Ranger Sarah Davis. Davis reported that rangers will focus on distracted driving and failure to maintain lane while driving. “Rangers will not give warnings. If you can’t stay in your lane while driving, you are a danger to other vehicles on the roadway.”
Media Release/Office of the Superintendent, Natchez Trace Parkway
