Two good samaritans die in accident helping motorist

Two Memphis men died in a traffic accident on I-22 west of New Albany shortly after 8 a.m. Friday while trying to help a stranded motorist.

Medical Examiner-Investigator Pam Boman said the accident is under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol but could provide some preliminary information.

Antavius Shye, 20, and Keon Williams, 21, both of Memphis, were traveling east toward Tupelo when they saw a woman with a flat tire on the side of the road. They turned around and came back to help, parking their vehicle in front of the disabled car.

After moving the woman safely away from the road, they were attempting to help and standing near the edge of the road when both were struck by a passing pickup truck. Both died at the scene.

Boman said they were attached to the 658th Quartermaster Company in Tupelo and were on the way there for their weekend duty.

The truck driver immediately returned to the scene and neither the driver nor the woman were reported injured.

It will be up to results of the investigation as to whether charges are warranted.