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In memory

 

This page is a place to remember bicyclists and pedestrians who have suffered fatalities on Mississippi roads. 

If you know of someone we should add, please email us at bikewalk@bikewalkmississippi.rg.

Dr. Gary Holdiness
Natchez Trace

On Sunday, May 6th, 2012, Dr. Gary Holdiness of Kosciusko was struck by a truck as he was cycling on the Natchez Trace around 12:40pm. Attala Fire and Rescue responded to the scene of the accident at mile marker 156 just south the Kosciusko. Holdiness was pronounced dead at the scene. 

 

Kevser Erwin
Oxford

On Friday, October 7th, 2011, tragedy struck in Oxford when Mrs. Kevser Ermin, 27, a doctoral student in health and kinesiology was hit on Highway 314 (Old Sardis Road). She was hit by a car driven by a 21 year-old Ole Miss student, who after hitting Ermin, continued driving for about a mile before turning around and returning to the scene of the wreck.  Kevser was wearing a helmet, high vis and had bike reflectors and gps log shows she was riding on a straight path near the edge of the road when struck from behind at 72 mph. Kevser was killed instantly. The investigating officer did not issue any tickets or charges to the driver in connection with his investigation of the accident.  

 

Cathleen Keel

Bay Saint Louis

Marie Brandenberg
Biloxi

Cathleen Keel, a Pass Christian woman died Thursday, March 15th, 2012 when she was struck by a vehicle as she was riding her bicycle.  Keel, 59, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death was caused by multiple head wounds, he said. Chief Mike DeNardo said Keel was headed south on Mississippi 603 near Avenue B about 7:30 a.m. when she apparently turned in front of the driver, who was also traveling south. The accident remains under investigation, but DeNardo does not expect charges to be filed against the driver.

 

Trey Rich
Richland

Trey Rich, a senior and member of the Belhaven football team was from Memphis.  On Christmas Eve, 2014, Rich was struck and killed by a drunk driver on Old Highway 49.  Rich had just gotten off work at his job at FedEx when the wreck happened.  Last season Rich appeared in seven games at wide receiver and as a kick returner with the Blazers. He was a Sports Administration major.  The driver was arrested on DUI charges. 

John Paul Frerer
Tupelo

John Paul Frerer died at the age of 18, when he was hit by a truck while cycling on a Mississippi road.  He was much loved and admired by friends and family.  When asked to describe John Paul, his friends said, “He was an open-minded, honest, devoted, and driven towards achieving success in every aspect of his life,” and “Never did he half live a single moment in his life, he truly did live life to the fullest.

John Paul had a passion for life and learning.  He was a Rotary Scholar, an Eagle Scout and an award winning tri-athlete.  In his last year and half, John Paul discovered his passion for cycling.  “Why do I tri? I tri because it gives meaning to my life like nothing else, I tri because in those moments few and far between while pushing my limits I find myself and see a part of myself that no one else does.” -JPF

Iain Edward Gerrard
DeSoto County

Iain Edward Gerrard, a 23 year old was making a trip of a lifetime on his bicycle from his home in Toronto, to his ultimate destination of New Orleans, when he was hit and killed just south of Memphis.  Gerrard was hit on July 14, 2014, around 3 p.m.  Gerrard was struck by an 18-wheeler just south of Memphis on U.S. Hwy 61 and Star Landing Rd in Desoto County in Mississippi.  

Delecta Collins
Vickburg area

Delecta Collins, a Port Gibson bicyclist died in the predawn hours Friday after being struck by a truck in Claiborne County in January 2013.  The Mississippi Highway Patrol said Collins was hit by a 1999 blue Chevy sport utility vehicle at 2:51 a.m. as he rode his bike on Highway 18 in the area of the Natchez Trace Parkway. 53-year-old Delecta Collins was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the SUV was taken to the Claiborne County Jail where he was charged with driving without a license and felony possession of illegal drugs.  

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