BROOKHAVEN — A Brookhaven High School student died while on her way to prom Friday.
Rushing said Brittney Hill, 18, was traveling west on Zetus Road just past Jackson Liberty Road in a 2007 Nissan Sentra around 6:25 p.m. when she collided with a 2003 Dodge pickup driven by Robert Brown, 45.
Hill was taken to King’s Daughters Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Brown was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where he remains in good condition.
Lincoln County Deputy Coroner Ricky Alford said Hill’s body has been sent to the crime lab in Pearl.
Alford told the Daily Leader newspaper that he didn’t know who veered into whose lane but he was told by paramedics on the scene there was a substantial amount of damage to Hill’s vehicle.
Hill, who lived in Brookhaven with her grandmother so she could attend Brookhaven High, went to the home of her mother, Shanika Hill, to get her hair and makeup done. Shanika Hill then took pictures of her daughter.
Hill was returning to Brookhaven to meet her boyfriend when the accident occurred. Rushing said neither Hill nor Brown had passengers in the cars with them.
When Hill didn’t meet her boyfriend, he called to see what time she would arrive, but Hill’s mother answered her phone and told her daughter’s boyfriend what happened.
Hill was a junior at Brookhaven High.
The school district offered condolences to Hill’s family in a weekend posting on its Facebook page.
“The Brookhaven School District is truly saddened by the tragic accident that took the young life of Brittney Hill. We are sending our thoughts and prayers out to the family and everyone who has been affected by her sudden loss,” the post read.
Hill’s mother describes her as strong-willed but in a good way. “She was straight to the point,” she told the Daily Leader. “She didn’t beat around the bush.”
Shanika Hill said her daughter wanted to be a narcotics agent after going on a field trip to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.
Hill was an active member of Siloam Missionary Baptist Church. She was athletic. Hill played fastpitch and slowpitch softball and ran track for Brookhaven High.
Counselors will be on hand to talk to students Tuesday. The district is out of school today for Easter.
Hill’s visitation is Friday and services will be held Saturday. Williams Mortuary in Brookhaven is in charge of arrangements.
