COPIAH COUNTY, MS. (THECOUNT) — Erik G. Miller Jr., of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, has been identified as the victim in a fatal two-vehicle crash near Hazelhurst Christmas night.

Miller, 30, was killed in a crash on Wednesday night in Copiah County, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

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Police say, Miller was operating a Chevrolet Impala on Old Highway 51 near Hazelhurst, when he was sideswiped by a Mercedes who was attempting to pass around 9 p.m.

Preliminary reports indicated that a Mercedes sedan traveling northbound attempted to pass a Chevrolet Impala that was traveling in the same direction when the Mercedes sideswiped the Chevrolet, reports ClarionLedger.

Miller lost control of the Impala and collided with a substantial tree.

He was pronounced dead of blunt force trauma at the scene.

An autopsy has been requested in the investigation.

No further information on the Mercedes driver was provided.

It is unclear if anyone was cited at the scene.

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Geo quick facts: Copiah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,449. The county seat is Hazlehurst. With an eastern border formed by the Pearl River, Copiah County is part of the Jackson, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area – Wikipedia.