Around 1:40 pm on December 12, 2025, a crash on US Highway 90 in Jackson County claimed the life of 68-year-old Kenneth Light of Pascagoula. According to authorities, the collision occurred when a 2022 Volkswagen Arteon traveling westbound on Highway 90 collided with a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by Kenneth Light, who attempted to turn left from the eastbound lanes. The impact caused critical injuries, and Mr. Light was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, 42-year-old Ivan Autry of Mobile, Alabama, was not reported to be injured. Mississippi Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Fatal crashes like this one leave families with unanswered questions. If your family has been affected by a serious or fatal collision, Singleton Schreiber’s experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help you understand your options and protect your rights during this difficult time.
Why Left-Turn Collisions on Highways Are Often Deadly
Crashes involving left turns across traffic are among the most dangerous types of roadway collisions. These accidents often occur in a matter of seconds but can have devastating consequences.
Some common factors that contribute to deadly left-turn crashes include:
- High travel speeds, which reduce reaction time and increase the force of impact
- Misjudging oncoming traffic, particularly when vehicles are traveling faster than expected
- Limited visibility, including glare, weather conditions, or obstructed sightlines
- Traffic flow complexity, where multiple lanes make it harder to safely gauge gaps
When a turning vehicle is struck broadside by an oncoming car, the driver often has little protection from the impact. The combination of speed, angle of collision, and vehicle size differences frequently leads to catastrophic or fatal injuries, particularly for older drivers.
Possible Legal Recourse for the Victim’s Family
Under Mississippi law, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim if a fatal crash was caused, in whole or in part, by another party’s negligence. Whether such a claim exists in this case will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
“Because this collision involved a left turn, investigators will assess whether the deceased driver failed to yield the right of way,” says Shani Anderson, attorney of Singleton Schreiber. “If the evidence shows the deceased was solely at fault, the family’s ability to bring a wrongful death claim may be limited. However, a claim may still be available if investigations find that another party contributed to the cause of the crash.”
Potentially liable parties could include:
- Another driver, if they were speeding, distracted, impaired, or otherwise driving negligently
- A vehicle owner or employer, if the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle for work purposes
- State or local government entities, if unsafe roadway conditions played a role, such as poor visibility, inadequate signage, improper traffic control, or a hazardous roadway design
Mississippi’s pure comparative negligence law allows families to recover damages even if the deceased shared some responsibility, as long as another party was also at fault. Because fault has not yet been determined, families may benefit from speaking with an attorney who can evaluate the investigation, identify all potentially responsible parties, and explain what legal options may be available.
Singleton Schreiber is available to help families understand their rights and determine whether a wrongful death claim may be appropriate, providing guidance and support during an incredibly difficult time.
