Basic Facts
Crash date: July 29, 2026
Crash location: Interstate 55 near mile marker 70 outside Crystal Springs, MS
People involved:
- Sidney Cowart Jr., 82
- Josephine Cowart, 81
- Unidentified dump truck driver, 26
Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Unknown
Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Unknown
Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown
Accident Report
Copiah County, MS — July 29, 2026, Sidney Cowart Jr. was killed and Josephine Cowart was injured in a dump truck accident at about 1:40 p.m. on Interstate 55.
Authorities said a 2018 Kenworth dump truck was heading south near Crystal Springs when it drove across the median and collided head-on with a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox.
A passenger in the SUV, 82-year-old Sidney Cowart Jr. of Tickfaw, LA, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
Chevrolet driver Josephine Cowart was hospitalized with unspecified injuries. authorities said.
The dump truck driver subsequently was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle, according to authorities.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Copiah County crash at this time.
How Did This Accident Occur?
Dump trucks don’t just drive into oncoming traffic for no reason. Maybe the driver was distracted. Maybe it swerved to avoid another vehicle? Maybe the truck had an issue with its brakes or steering mechanism. It is up to authorities to figure out what happened on I-55.
Investigators will work to reconstruct this crash by scrutinizing vehicle data, physical evidence, witness statements and available video footage, while cell phone records could show what the truck driver was doing at the time.
Authorities also should look at the trucking companies hiring practices and maintenance records to determine if the driver was qualified and the truck was not overdue from any scheduled repairs.
What do you think happened here?
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