Clinton, MS : 15-year-old dies in car crash on Natchez Trace Parkway on Tuesday October 11 2016

A Tuesday morning car crash killed 15-year old Zia Richardson on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

By Tuesday evening, the crash was still evident, right off the side of the road on the Parkway, by mile marker 93. Tire tracks show the exact path each car ran, and bits of the vehicles are scattered all around the area.

Zia's Ridgeland High School student ID was found on the side of the road, attached to her keys and part of a lanyard with "Cuddle" written on it.

"Zia had a huge heart. She was a very loving girl. She loved her family, her horse, her friends," said Teina Richardson, Zia's mother. "She loved life and had plans to travel, and was learning Spanish. She was smart and caring. She had her whole life ahead of her."

There were two cars involved; a Ford F-150 and a Volvo. Zia was ejected from the Volvo, and ended up all the way in the woods on the side of the road.

The Richardson family says Zia's brother Jaron was the one driving. They say he suffered only minor injuries, as did the driver of the F-150, according to Mark Jones, an information officer for Clinton.

The wife of the pickup truck driver told us Jaron crossed over into the opposite lane, trying to pass the cars in front of him. She says he tried to pass several cars, and couldn't get back into his lane fast enough. Both Jaron and the pickup truck driver over-corrected, and they crashed head-on in the grassy shoulder by the road.

The Ridgeland High School principal issued a statement, sending thoughts and prayers to Zia's family and friends, and saying she will be missed.

Natchez Trace Parkway rangers have taken over the investigation and haven't released any more details on the crash since Tuesday morning.


Source :
15-year-old dies in Natchez Trace car crash