A high-speed chase from Flora ended in Yazoo City on Oct. 8, claiming the life of a Mississippi Valley State University football player.
Yazoo County Coroner Ricky Shivers said Ryan Quinney, 20, was pronounced dead on the accident scene by Pafford medics from multiple system trauma due to a one-vehicle rollover.
Quinney was the passenger in the fleeing vehicle. The driver was airlifted to a Jackson hospital, and his condition was unknown as of press time.
It was reported that the chase began in Flora when the Mississippi Highway Patrol attempted to pull over the vehicle. A high-speed chase then ensued, arriving in Yazoo City around 10 p.m. last Friday.
“The driver of the vehicle lost control on Jerry Clower Boulevard, north of Twentieth Street,” Shivers said. “After losing control, the vehicle ran through a ditch onto Talbert Drive, where it struck a parked Chevrolet Suburban before becoming airborne. The vehicle flipped several times, taking out a light pole before landing in a yard on Talbert Drive.”
No other injuries were reported at the scene.
Shivers said the Yazoo City Fire Department used Jaws of Life to remove the roof of the vehicle to give access to the two passengers.
“It was reported that the driver was lying on top of the passenger on the passenger side,” Shivers said. “The driver was removed and treated on the scene. He was then transported by Pafford to AirCare Helicopter Service to be taken to the University Medical Center. The passenger (Quinney) was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Shivers said it was also reported to him that the driver and Quinney were fraternity brothers. Quinney was a linebacker at MVSU. The school posted a message of condolences on its Facebook page last Saturday.
“Ryan was a bright light in our community with a spirit that lifted everyone around him,” the post reads. “He will be deeply missed by his friends, faculty, and all who knew him. During this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Ryan’s family and loved ones. Please keep them, along with their friends and classmates, in your thoughts and prayers. Let us remember Ryan's impact on our lives and honor his memory by supporting each other through this loss.”
According to Michael Chavez with the Clarion Ledger, the memory of Quinney was present at the MVSU and Jackson State University football game the following day. Chavez reported that Jackson State included mention of Quinney in the pregame prayer. MVSU also took a delay of game penalty in memory of Quinney, on its first drive of the game. Jackson State declined the penalty.
Some MVSU players were seen wearing the number 31 in memory of Quinney.
