Vicksburg, Miss. – Baron Meeks, 32, was sentenced on Monday to 25 years in prison for causing a deadly crash on Halls Ferry Road in July 2023. Judge James Chaney sentenced Meeks to serve 15 years behind bars after he pled guilty to two counts of Aggravated DUI.
Meeks’ blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was found to be 0.316% at the time of the crash, nearly four times the legal limit of 0.08%. The crash killed 48-year-old Jeffery Dewayne Harris and 55-year-old Dwayne Leroy Williams. Harris died at the scene, and Williams succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Meeks, who was driving in the northbound lane, swerved into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with Harris’ vehicle. During his sentencing, Meeks expressed deep remorse for the incident. “I’m extremely sorry for the act that happened that day,” Meeks said. “I wish I could go back to that day and do things differently.”
In his testimony, Meeks admitted he had been drinking the night before and had a beer that morning. District Attorney Ricky Smith emphasized that while Meeks showed remorse, the victim’s families’ loss must also be acknowledged. “Mr. Harris and Mr. Williams still had a lot of life left in them,” Smith said.
Meeks will be eligible for parole after serving half of his 15-year sentence.
