PEARL, Miss. (AP) - A car accident in a restaurant parking lot led to a chase, exchange of gunfire on an interstate highway and a man’s death, Mississippi authorities said Tuesday.
Pearl Police Department spokesman Greg Flynn said witnesses told investigators it all began just after midnight Sunday in a parking lot off Interstate 55 in Jackson when the driver of a Camaro backed into an Acura.
The Acura was driven by Gabriel Harper, 22, of Jackson. Rankin County Coroner David Ruth said Harper died early Sunday. He had been shot several times.
Flynn said it was not immediately known if the drivers knew each other, The Clarion Ledger reported.
According to Flynn, Harper is believed to have pulled a gun and shot at the Camaro, which fled onto I-55. Harper followed and is accused of firing more shots as the two cars sped down the roadway. The Camaro’s driver, whose name was not released, merged onto Interstate 20 east and lost control near a bridge. The two vehicles collided.
More gunfire occurred and Harper was hit several times. Ruth said he was pronounced dead at 1:21 a.m. at a hospital.
Passengers were in each vehicle, but no one was injured, police said.
Charges have not been filed against the Camaro’s driver. Police said the case will be presented to the Rankin County grand jury.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.