Hattie Lorene ONeal Obituary, Death; – A man has admitted guilt to two charges of aggravated DUI related to a fatal accident on Interstate 20.
On August 21, 2023, at 11:50 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol, along with other local law enforcement agencies, responded to a two-vehicle collision on I-20 near the Crossgates exit in Brandon.
The incident resulted in the death of 85-year-old Hattie Lorene O’Neal, who was struck by a Dodge Ram operated by 38-year-old Marcal Joshua Collins, which collided with a Honda Accord driven by O’Neal’s son, Ty.
Investigators found that Collins had been traveling in the wrong direction on the interstate, leading to the severe head-on crash. Officers suspected Collins of driving under the influence due to a noticeable odor of alcohol. He subsequently confessed to consuming multiple vodka drinks, and two vodka bottles were discovered in his truck.
On Tuesday, Collins received a sentence of 25 years in the state penitentiary.