JACKSON, Miss. — A man who has been considered an Oxford fixture for at least two decadesdied in a car accident following a flag rally Sunday, officials said.
Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy confirmed that a man killed in a rollover car crash near Oxford was Anthony Hervey, who has been an outspoken member of the Oxford community. in favor of theConfederate flag, for as long as most people can remember.
Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Johnny Poulos said the accident took place on Highway 6 near the Pontotoc County line around 11:20 a.m. The two were traveling west in a 2005 Ford Explorer when it left the road and the driver overcorrected and the vehicle flipped.
Hervey, 49, died of his injuries.
At this point, no more details than that can be released, Poulos said, until accident reconstructionists have had a chance to take a look at the evidence.
“Tomorrow will probably be a busy day,” Poulos said.
An account given by the passenger makes the accident seem suspicious.
The MacAlester News-Capitalis reporting that a woman named Arlene Barnham had given Hervey a ride to the rally in Birmingham, Ala. On their way back to Oxford, they were involved in an accident.
Reportedly, Hervey was driving and feared they were being chased. Hervey told Barnham he noticed a silver car speeding to catch up to them, and then it swerved into their passenger side.
Hervey is the author of Why I wave the Confederate Flag: Written by a Black Man. He was well-known for wearing a Confederate uniform and waving a Rebel flag on the Oxford square. He would often attract a crowd as he spoke about his views on the subject.
Kennedy said officials are putting together a press release on the accident. Poulos reiterated that authorities will not be able to release further details until the investigation has moved further along.
