MSU Track Star Who Graduated Friday Struck And Killed By Highway Patrol Vehicle

Kaelin Kersh, a Mississippi State University track athlete at was killed in an early Sunday morning traffic accident near campus. The rising star graduated from MSU on Friday after receiving a degree in kinesiology and health fitness studies. She was 22.

Kersh was traveling in the backseat of a car when it was struck by a Mississippi Highway Patrol sport utility vehicle at Highway 182 and Mayhew Road. The accident injured three others, including the state trooper.

Master Sergeant Criss Turnipseed says the trooper was heading east on Highway 182 when a Toyota Corolla entered the highway from Old Mayhew Road around 1:30 a.m. Turnipseed says the trooper was on the way to verify a report of a vehicle leaving the road at Highway 182 and 16th Section Road when the accident happened. h/t wtva

Kersh was in the car with driver, Noel Collier, 21, of Madison, and Tanequa Alexander, 22, of Ridgeland. Collier and Alexander suffered moderate injuries.

The trooper suffered minor injuries and was taken by a patrol vehicle to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus.

Mississippi State University released the following statement concerning Kersh’s death:

Mississippi State senior runner Kaelin Kersh of the Bulldog women’s track and field team was killed in an automobile accident in Starkville early Sunday morning. She was 22.

“I will always remember Kaelin by her incredible smile,” MSU track and field coach Steve Dudley said. “Kaelin always had a positive attitude and this was contagious to everyone around her. Kaelin was a member of the most successful era of women’s track and field at Mississippi State and that was largely due to the tight bond between her and her teammates. We all loved her, and Kaelin will remain in our hearts forever. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Kersh family and to the other families involved.”

Kaelin Kersh (MSU)

“The entire Mississippi State family mourns the tragic loss of Kaelin,” MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Kaelin’s family, friends, teammates and coaches. She represented Mississippi State in a first-class manner and earned her degree. We will be here to provide support and comfort to her family and teammates during the grieving process.”

Kersh, a native of Pearl, Miss., was a contributor in the Bulldogs’ distance events and relays. She helped capture the distance medley relay at the 2016 Alabama Relays. During the 2017 indoor season, Kersh was a member of the DMR and 4×400 relay teams.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Kaelin’s family and friends at this very difficult time.