Inset, from top: Patrick Imafidon of the Jackson Police Department and Pamela Ellis of Artic Obits. Background: the GMC Yukon police say Imafidon was driving when Ellis was killed (JPD).
A 45-year-old Mississippi man faces charges in the death of a 56-year-old woman who police say was struck by a vehicle while walking home from a store with groceries. The driver allegedly left the scene.
Patrick Imafidon was arrested and charged with culpable-negligence manslaughter and felony leaving the scene in connection with the death of Pamela Ellis, authorities said.
The Jackson Police Department said in a press release that Ellis was hit by a white GMC Yukon around 11:30 p.m. Sept. 5 near North State Street and Briarwood Drive in Jackson. According to police, she was “walking home with her groceries” when the collision occurred.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business that allegedly captured a Yukon around the time of the crash. Video from a second business reportedly showed the same SUV with extensive front-end damage and “what appeared to be white Styrofoam plates in the grill of the vehicle.”
Police said matching material was also discovered at the location where Ellis was struck.
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As investigators worked to identify the driver and find the SUV, they asked the public for assistance. Authorities said tips and community members who shared the department’s request helped police locate the vehicle and identify Imafidon. The department later reported that the Yukon had been recovered Oct. 7, one day before announcing Imafidon’s arrest.
Following the crash, residents told local NBC affiliate WLBT that speeding had been a persistent problem along North State Street. Vicky McCrimmon said traffic there is regularly heavy and fast, making extra caution especially important around children.
“You think it’s race city some days of the week. It’s always very busy and very fast traffic. So, you have to be very careful when you go up there, especially with the little kids,” McCrimmon told the station.
Amy Montes, another resident, said drivers involved in collisions should remain at the scene and seek help instead of fleeing.
“If somebody was to hit anybody with a car, you would hope they would stop and go back. If you can’t stop and go back, please call and get them some help,” Montes said.
Imafidon appeared in Jackson Municipal Court Oct. 8. A judge set his bond at $105,000, including $75,000 for the manslaughter charge and $30,000 for the felony leaving-the-scene charge. His next court date was not immediately available.
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