Union man jailed after fatal wreck

By By William F. West / community editor
March 30, 2003
UNION A 36-year-old Union man remained jailed without bond in Neshoba County on Saturday night after a two-car accident on a street here claimed the life of an elderly woman.
Tony Donald was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Friday night, Neshoba County Deputy Vincent Carter said.
Carter said the wreck happened at 7:38 p.m. on North Street about a couple of miles from downtown Union and on the Neshoba County side of the Neshoba County-Newton County line.
Carter said that Donald was driving an older model Chevrolet Caprice on North Street when he apparently collided with a 1997 Mercury Marquis driven by Effie Petty, 72, also of Union.
The wreck destroyed Petty's car and emergency crews had to use extrication equipment to remove her, Carter said. He said the wreck also badly damaged Donald's car.
Donald was arrested after being treated and released from Laird Hospital in Union, Carter said.
Newton County Coroner Dale Stampley said Petty died in Laird Hospital's emergency room of internal injuries sustained in the wreck. Stampley said Petty's body will undergo an autopsy.
Carter said two Union women also were riding with Petty at the time of the collision Jo Anne Richardson, 69, and Margie Welch, 72, both of whom were taken to Laird Hospital.
Welch was later taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She remained in UMC center's intensive care unit on Saturday night but the specifics of her condition were unavailable.
Carter said Richardson was at Rush Foundation Hospital on Saturday night but the specifics of her condition were also unavailable.