Hwy. 6 head-on crash claims lives of two

By John Howell
An attempt by a westbound driver on Highway 6/278 to pass two other westbound vehicles Monday afternoon led to a head-on crash with an eastbound vehicle that killed both drivers, Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Joseph W. Miller said.
Panola County Coroner Gracie Gulledge identified the victims as James Morris, III, 28 of Shaw and Charles Cullum Jr., 48, of Batesville.
Morris was driving a 2010 Dodge Charger westbound when he struck Cullen’s eastbound 2008 Nissan Altima, according to Miller.
The two other westbound vehicles were also involved in the wreck near the Second Concord M. B. Church but occupants sustained only minor injuries.
One vehicle caught fire following the collision. Batesville Fire Chief Tim Taylor said that a rescue truck and engine company from his department responded to the wreck along with volunteer fire fighters from nearby departments.
Panola deputy sheriffs joined volunteer firefighters and other first responders to direct traffic and manage the accident scene on the state highway until the arrival of Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers who are handling investigation of the accident.