Authorities are looking for the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run that took the life of an Itta Bena woman.
Janeshia O’Neal, 30, received fatal injuries around midnight Monday morning when she was struck while walking along U.S. 82 in Washington County, according to a release from the Mississippi Highway Patrol. She was pronounced dead at the scene by a Washington County deputy coroner.
Lois O’Neal said on Wednesday that her daughter was traveling with a female friend when Janeshia’s car ran out of gas about 5 miles east of Leland. Lois O’Neal said she was told her daughter got out of the car and was trying to flag down help from passing vehicles when she was hit.
The westbound vehicle, believed to be a black sedan, left the scene, leaving its black bumper behind. The Highway Patrol is asking for the public’s help in trying to locate the vehicle. Anyone with information should contact Troop D at 662-477-1953.
Janeshia O’Neal was a postal carrier, working out of the Greenwood post office. She had two children, a 13-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
“She was just a fun person to be around,” said Lois O’Neal. “She had so much joy about her.”
That sentiment was echoed by Itta Bena Mayor Reginald Freeman. He said Janeshia had the type of personality that “kept you laughing.”
“If you went to a party and she was there, she was the life of the party,” he said.
“She was just one of the ones you’d want to be around.”
She was a graduate of Leflore County High School and Mississippi Valley State University. She was an usher at her church, Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Morgan City. She played softball in high school and was a big fan of football. The Dallas Cowboys were her favorite team, her mother said.
Janeshia’s death has left the family devastated. In addition to her children and mother, she is survived by her father, Robert Young, two brothers, a sister, a stepfather and four stepsisters.
“They’ve got just so many questions,” Lois O’Neal said. “She was so happy and free-hearted. She just helped a lot of people and gave to people.”
She said she has mixed emotions about the unknown driver who left the scene.
“I have no bad blood toward whoever did it. I just want justice for my child,” she said.
“I felt like they hit her and just left her like she was a dog. They didn’t come back and check on her. They just kept going.”
- Contact Tim Kalich at 662-581-7243 or tkalich@gwcommonwealth.com.
