From the Clarion Leger front page:
Baldwyn man held in trooper's death
A 25-year-old man from Baldwyn is facing felony fleeing and manslaughter charges in the Friday night chase that ended in the death of a veteran state trooper.
Master Sgt. Steve Hood was chasing the vehicle on Mississippi 370 near the Prentiss-Lee County line in northeast Mississippi when his squad car left the road and struck a tree near Brice's Crossroads Military Park, officials say.
Lee County's coroner pronounced Hood, 50, dead at the scene.
Hood had been a trooper at MHP Troop F in New Albany since 1982. He is the 27th trooper to die in the line of duty since 1940, but the first since 1999.
Officials said the chase started when Hood spotted the speeding car and tried to pull it over. Whether Francis knew Hood crashed isn't known, but he allegedly attempted to hide the Trans-Am, Kitchens said.
"There were a lot of witnesses that came forth to tell us what they saw," Kitchens said.
The patrol also reported that Francis had three passengers in the car during the chase. Kitchens said all three were questioned and released. He said they will not be charged. "(Francis) is the one who started the chase. He's the one who chose not to pull over and just accept his speeding ticket."
He said nitrous is not illegal, but it is illegal to use it on highways. Kitchens said the Trans-Am was driving in excess of 140 mph. He said it is not clear how fast the patrol car was going.
Lee and Prentiss County sheriff's officials and highway patrol reconstructionists were at the wreck site late Friday, investigating, the report said. The state's Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the probe.
