Officials try to identify man killed in crash

The victim of a fiery Aug. 17 crash on I-55 has yet to be identified as officials await DNA testing results.

State and local officials are still working to identify the victim of the one-vehicle accident that occurred between Ridgeland and Madison.

Investigators have submitted a DNA sample to the State Medical Examiner’s office for positive identification, Deputy Coroner Joel Shows said.

Shows said the sample came from a presumed family member to ensure a positive identification. Shows said he does not know when his office expects to receive a result from the state office.

“We hope to hear back soon so we can bring this case to a close,” Shows said.

The victim is believed to be a male, according to Shows.

The crash happened at about 9 a.m. Madison Police Capt. Kevin Newman said at the time that “Due to the condition of the driver’s remains as a result of the post-accident fire,” the official identification has not been made.

Newman said MPD received a 911 call regarding a gray passenger car traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 55 in the Madison city limits.  

A few minutes later, the Ridgeland Police Department received a 911 call that a gray passenger car crashed into the trees on the west side of the southbound lanes near mile marker 107 at the Madison Avenue exit, Newman said.  

“Once emergency personnel arrived on scene,” Newman said. “the vehicle was already fully engulfed in flames.” 

The Madison Fire Department was on the scene to begin rescue efforts and extinguish the fire. 

“Despite their best efforts,” Newman said. “The driver of the vehicle was pronounced deceased.” 

Authorities say the vehicle was only occupied by the driver and there were no other vehicles involved in the accident. 

“The Madison Police Department would like to thank the Ridgeland Police Department, Ridgeland Fire Department and Madison Fire Department for their prompt response and assistance on scene,” Newman said.