One dead in I-59 accident near Nicholson exit

One person is dead after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 59 just south of the Nicholson exit at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Sunday evening.

According to Picayune Police Assistant Chief James Bolton, officers from the Picayune Police Department were dispatched to the southbound side of I-59 in reference to a person being struck by a vehicle. Bolton stated that when the officers arrived at the scene, they made contact with a male subject who identified himself as the boyfriend of the victim. The male subject stated their vehicle had broken down on the side of the interstate highway and they had called for wrecker to assist with their vehicle.

The male stated his girlfriend, identified as Jennifer Lynn Beam, age 47, of 1324 Alvar Street, New Orleans, LA., had started walking southbound on the interstate. The male stated a subject later knocked on his car window advising him he thought he had struck someone in the roadway. The two men searched the area and located Beam on the east side of southbound lanes. They then called 911.

When the officers located Beam, they observed she had died from injuries sustained in the accident. The driver of the vehicle stated he was traveling south on interstate in the right lane when he struck Beam, who was in the roadway, with the left front fender area of his vehicle. The driver stated he was traveling at approximately 65 mph, and due to the heavy fog, he unable to see Beam.

Investigators were called to the scene and determined that Beam may have unknowingly walked into the roadway due the heavy fog and the time of night.

The interstate was closed to all southbound traffic for approximately two hours.

The Pearl River County Coroner’s and Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office were on scene and assisted with the investigation by a deputy certified in Accident Reconstruction. Impairment is not suspected as this time. The accident is still under investigation.