Fiery Crash Kills Innocent Bystander

Source: TheJacksonChannel.com
Date: 2002/10/18

JACKSON, Miss. -- One person was killed and two others were seriously injured after a high-speed crash Thursday on Lakeland Drive.

Police said the victim, William Gates, 27, was a passenger in a pickup truck driven by his brother, George Gates. The two were headed down Lakeland near the corner of Ridgewood when the accident occurred.

Witnesses said a Mitsubishi driven by Ryan Miller, 15, was racing a Mustang on Lakeland when the Mitsubishi hit Gates' pickup truck. The Mitsubishi and the truck burst into flames upon impact.

"I saw a guy jump out of the car and he was in flames -- from head to toe in flames and rolling around the ground," witness Angela Dew said.

William Gates died at the scene. George Gates was listed in stable condition at University Medical Center. Miller was listed in critical condition at the Greenville Burn Center.

Police have been unable to find the driver of the Mustang, who did not stop after the accident.

No charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.

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