1993

WEEK OF

By SID SALTER Ttmes Editor

An investigation continues this week into a two-car accident late Friday night on Hwy. 35 north of Forest that left one Forest man dead and another seriously injured. Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Danny Falkner of Carthage identified the fatality as Thomas Wayne Smith, Jr., 19, of Route 5, Forest. Injured in the crash was Cooper E. Triplett, 26, of 108 Jan– Wood, Forest. Smith was pronounced dead-on– arrival at Lackey Memorial Hospi– tal. No charges have been filed in 'he accident, but Falkner said the -ratrol's investigation into the acci– dent was ongoing and declined qomment on the scope of that in– '(·c~tigation. "I can confirm that a bottle was removed from Mr. Triplett's vehicle at the scene of the accident," said falkner, but declined further com- 1i11Cnt. Triplett remains hospitalized in stable condition at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson after suffering a broken jaw, facial cuts and other injuries in the crash. He underwent extensive surgery to repair the broken jaw over the weekend, family friends said. Falkner said the accident took place at approximately 10 p.m. Fri– day, Oct. 29 on Hwy. 35 about five miles north of Forest near the Gum Springs Road crossing. The victim was a passenger in a 1992 Honda driving northbound by his sister, Desiree' Smith, 23, of Route 5, Forest, according to Falkner. The trooper said Triplett was driving a 1989 Chevrolet south-

Smith bound. Falkner said the accidc appeared to occur in the north• bound lane. Smith apparently died instantly in the crash and was pinned insic\f' the vehicle, Falkner said. The high– way was blocked for more than two hours while Forest Fire Department personnel worked to extricate Smith's body using the "Jaws of Life". Desiree' Smith suffered minor injuries in the crash, Falkner said. Funeral service for Thomas W. Smith, Jr. are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Scott Central High School Gymnasium. Smith, a Chicago native who was enrolled at East Cent1'al Community College at the time of his death, wac; a 1992 SCHS graduate. He attended Tougaloo College during his fresh– man year. He was the son of Thomas W. Smith, Sr. and Dorothy Ellen Taylor <)mtth ot Forest.

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CARTHAGINIAN

SCOTT COUNTY TIMES UNIO~ APPEAL WINSTON COUN"T<'TY~J"'""O'"'"'U,._RNAL MERIDIAN STAR

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