Investigation continues into Mississippi pedestrian deaths
LONG BEACH, Miss. (AP) — Police continue to investigate the death of two Mississippi Gulf Coast pedestrians hit and killed Sunday by a driver.
Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove tells local news outlets Tuesday that the victims are 49-year-old Melissa Blanco of Gulfport and 61-year-old Robert Gales of Long Beach.
Hargrove says both died from blunt force trauma before they could be taken to a hospital.
Long Beach police say the two were walking alongside a road that doesn't have a sidewalk when they were hit after sundown on Sunday.
Police say they believe the driver was impaired and have charged him with driving under the influence. The driver's name hasn't been released yet. It's unclear if charges will be upgraded.