Death count reaches 7, at least 30 injured in Saturday morning bus accident on I-20

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story reported that eight people died in the crash. The Mississippi Highway Patrol has since confirmed that only seven died.

In what Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps called a “devastating” accident Saturday morning just after 1 a.m. on Interstate 20 near the Bovina exit, a passenger bus overturned in the westbound lane killing eight and injuring at least 30, local officials have confirmed.

“Tragically, seven individuals lost their lives at the scene and another passed away at the Merit Health emergency room,” Stamps said. “Vicksburg fire, in partnership with American Medical Response (AMR), worked tirelessly to transport over 30 patients to the emergency room.”

The accident blocked I-20 westbound for much of the early morning hours, as crews from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Vicksburg Fire Department, Vicksburg Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) and others worked to aid those injured and free passengers reportedly still trapped on the bus.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said it does not appear that any of the fatalities from Saturday morning’s accident were Mississippi residents; however, names of the deceased have not yet been released and the accident is being investigated by MHP.

More information will be released as it is made available by MHP.

“My heart goes out to all those affected by this heartbreaking event,” Stamps said.