Jones County, MS — February 7, 2026, Douglas Matthews was killed and one person was injured after a log truck accident around 7:45 a.m. on Highway 15.
Investigators said in initial statements that the crash happened near Shelby Lane, just north of Laurel.
According to officials, 71-year-old Douglas D. Matthews was in a vehicle going northbound on the highway. A log truck was going southbound. Somehow, the vehicles collided, killing Douglas Matthews.
The log truck ended up overturning off-road, and the truck driver reportedly had injuries. At this time, additional details about the accident are unavailable.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
With a severe collision like this, it’s crucial to know how the investigations are being handled. Sometimes, a deadly truck wreck out in a rural area can present unique challenges which not all police departments are equipped to handle.
For example, I recall a case I had a while back with a car and an 18-wheeler colliding head-on. The officer left in charge of the investigations was in way over his head, and he determined the car crossed the center line. Through our independent investigations, though, evidence proved that the complete opposite was true. Without that secondary investigation, who knows if the truth ever would have come to light.
That’s not to say this specific accident is being mishandled. Rather, it’s important for families to know their situation is in the right hands. So if authorities can show they’re dedicating the time, tools, and trained personnel needed for a proper accident reconstruction, that would be good. Otherwise, if their efforts start to raise doubts or concerns, they may need another set of eyes looking things over.
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