LAMAR COUNTY, Miss. — What began as an ordinary Friday night on Highway 42 ended in tragedy when a crash took the lives of three young people, including 18-year-old Aaron Page of Sumrall.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the wreck happened around 8:33 p.m. on Feb. 13. Investigators said Aaron was driving a Ford F-150 when it collided head-on with a 2021 Toyota Camry driven by 23-year-old Courtney Michelle of Bassfield. Riding with Courtney were 16-year-old Kaylee Whitehead and a 17-year-old passenger from Carson.
The force of the collision left little chance for survival. Aaron Page, Courtney Michelle, and Kaylee Whitehead were pronounced dead at the scene by the Lamar County Coroner’s Office. The 17-year-old passenger was pulled from the wreckage and taken to a hospital, where the teen remains in critical condition.
Aaron was just 18 years old. For his family and friends, the loss is hard to put into words. He was stepping into adulthood, building plans, and looking ahead. Now, those plans have been cut short in a single moment on a dark stretch of road.
Courtney Michelle was known throughout Bassfield for her kindness and strong ties to her family. She valued community and carried herself with warmth. Her sudden passing has left neighbors stunned.
Kaylee Whitehead, only 16, had her whole life ahead of her. Friends remember her laughter and the easy joy she brought to everyday moments. Losing someone so young shakes a town to its core.
As the investigation continues, Lamar County is grieving together. The families of Courtney and Kaylee have organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral costs. In homes across Bassfield, Sumrall, and Carson, loved ones are leaning on each other, trying to make sense of a tragedy that unfolded in seconds but will be felt for years.
