Illinois man arrested after 2 pedestrians from NC hit near Gulfport beach
A man from Illinois has been arrested after two pedestrians were hit by a Jeep on U.S. 90 in Gulfport, police said.
Michael Robin Kirgan, 57, of Morton, Illinois, has been arrested on two felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident.
Marjorie Freeman, 77, died after being hit, according to Harrison County Deputy Coroner Whitney Valles. The second pedestrian was taken to an area hospital and airlifted to USA Health University Hospital in Mobile. They are listed in critical condition.
The collision occurred at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, shortly after sunset, at Pratt Avenue and East Beach Boulevard.
Gulfport Police said the preliminary investigation shows the two people, both from North Carolina, were struck by a Jeep traveling west on East Beach Boulevard.
After hitting the pedestrians, Kirgan kept driving, police said, but he later returned to the scene and spoke with officers. Arrest warrants were filed, and he was later arrested at a residence in Long Beach.
The crash happened at Pratt Avenue, which is near the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. That area is about a mile from where Coast businessman Lee Brumfield was struck and killed Feb. 9 as he walked his dog around 6 a.m. at Beach Boulevard and Cedar Drive.
No charges were filed in that incident, and the police have not released any further information.
Kirgan is being held at the Harrison County jail on a $50,000 bond set by Justice Court Judge Melvin Ray.
Police say the investigation into Sunday’s crash is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gulfport police at 228-868-5959.
This story was originally published March 29, 2021 at 9:01 AM.
