New details released after Lee County, MS deputy struck in fatal crash

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Lee County, Mississippi, Sheriff's Department released new details Tuesday after a deputy was struck in a fatal crash on Monday. The sheriff's dept. said that around 3 p.m, Deputy Rick Haggard, 52, a school resource officer, was struck in front of Shannon Elementary School. Johnson said that Haggard parked his vehicle on the west side of Highway 245, across from Shannon Elementary. The sheriff said that Haggard's patrol vehicle was out of traffic, and blue lights were activated. Johnson said Haggard's assigned duty at the time was to assist with car rider and bus traffic as vehicles exited school and entered Highway 245. Shortly after 3 p.m., deputies said that Haggard exited his vehicle and walked toward the front of his vehicle, and while doing so, he was struck by a vehicle going southbound on Highway 245. Fire services, EMS, paramedics, and law enforcement responded and began life-saving measures. Several school officers also assisted with the incident. LCSD said that the deputy was transported to the North Mississippi Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased. No other injuries were reported at the scene, and no arrests have been made. Sheriff Jim H. Johnson said that the Mississippi Highway Patrol will be investigating the case along with the Shannon Police Dept.