Lamar County Man Charged With Felony DUI In Mississippi After Fatal Crash With Cyclist

COLUMBUS, MS — A Lamar County man has been charged with aggravated DUI in Mississippi after police say he struck and killed a man on a bicycle on the Highway 82 bypass late Sunday night.

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Columbus Police Chief Joseph M. Daughtry said Bobby Wayne Higgins, 44, of Sulligent, was charged just before midnight Sunday after the male victim, riding a bicycle on the highway at night with no reflective clothing, was struck by Higgins.

The fatal incident occurred near the Military Road exit, he said, with both Higgins and the victim traveling toward Starkville, Mississippi.

The victim has not been publicly identified as authorities work to notify next of kin.

"We are still investigating, but the man was riding a bicycle on the highway in the dark where the speed limit is 70 mph.," Daughtry said. "He was struck by the car. The driver did the right thing and called 911.

"The driver told the operator that he had hit something on the bypass,” Daughtry added. “Our officers responded and located the deceased victim. The driver was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital [in Columbus] for safety precautions and a blood test. There was evidence of alcohol being used by the driver, and he was arrested. The driver of the vehicle was not injured."

Those found guilty of aggravated DUI in Mississippi face prison time of up to 25 years, fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 and a five-year license suspension.

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