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NATCHEZ — A Louisiana man died early Sunday morning when the vehicle he was riding in ran off the road and hit a tree, officials said.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Troopers responded to the scene on U.S. 61 South at the Kingston Road exit at 2:04 a.m. Sunday, said Craig James, public information officer for the MHP.

Adams County Coroner James Lee said he pronounced Chase Gillespie, 20, of Monterey dead at 2:38 a.m. Sunday.

“Troopers learned that a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by Jacob Harding Harrison II, 20, of Vidalia, was traveling west on Kingston Road,” James said. “As Harrison came upon the intersection of U.S. 61, he crossed the north and southbound lanes and collided with a tree off the southbound shoulder of the U.S. Highway.”

The crash is still under investigation, James said.

Harrison and another passenger, Drake Patterson Smith, 19, of Jonesville, were taken to Merit Health Natchez and both were later airlifted to University Mississippi Medical Center, James said.

“The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the case and an accident reconstructionist was called to the scene,” Lee said. “This young man had a long life ahead of him. My condolences to his family and friends.”