Tragic Turn on U.S. 61: Mercedes Driver Airlifted After Collision

An 18-wheeler and an automobile were involved in a collision on U.S. 61 at Beau Pre Road at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Mississippi Highway Patrol arrived to the scene of the accident.

At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, a collision between a black Mercedes and an 18-wheeler occurred on United States Route 61 close to Beau Pre. (Photos to be submitted)

According to Corporal Craig James, the public affairs officer of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the driver of the black Mercedes, who has been named as Sonalben Patel, 50, from Natchez, has been airlifted from Merit Health Natchez to Jackson to receive treatment for his significant injuries.

According to James, the driver of the 18-wheeler, who has been identified as Adilet Toktobekov, 36 years old and hails from Wheeling, Illinois, did not sustain any injuries.

The 18-wheeler, which was a Volvo from 2021, was traveling northbound on United States Route 61, and the Mercedes-Benz from 2017 was traveling eastward on the same road, attempting to cross into Beau Pre, when the automobile and the 18-wheeler collided in the northbound lane, according to him.

The news article “Mercedes collides with 18-wheeler near Beau Pre on U.S. 61; Driver airlifted” was initially published in Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.