Jackson Jambalaya

Update: Just got a credible but unconfirmed report on the speed of the Mercedes as that particular model has a black box that records the speed. All I will say now is it is less than three times the posted speed limit.

Original Post:
Everyone was shocked by the news late Wednesday night concerning the wreck involving Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Irby and two young doctors, Mark Pogue and Lisa Dedousis, who were engaged to each other. Everyone's hearts and prayers go out to the families of these people as they seek to pick up the pieces from this horrible tragedy. I am posting on this subject for one reason only and that is because I've heard some of the rumors and accusations flying around Jackson, and it's time to put a stop to some of them. Such rumors do nothing but smear people who did nothing wrong and hurt those who are grieving by giving them the wrong idea about what happened that night.

The facts reported so far and some other things I have learned from multiple sources are this:

1. The Irbys left the Jackson Country Club shortly before the wreck.

2. The car they were driving was claimed by witnesses to be speeding at over 70 mph. A quick view of the Mercedes supports this claim. The speed limit is 40 mph on that part of Old Canton Road. I've been in a head-on collision at 50 mph with an 18-wheeler and the damage was nothing close to that of the Mercedes, much less the truck. The impact was so hard the truck exploded almost immediately. Clearly the car was going much higher than the posted speed limit.

3. After the 911 call was made, 20 minutes passed before anyone from JPD or JFD showed up, even though there are two fire stations only a few blocks away.

4. Update: both have improved. See the Caring Bridge site for details on their conditions. Multiple sources have told me not to be surprised by the toxicology reports. The website Caring Bridge gives updates on their conditions and there is a guestbook if someone wishes to make any comments or prayers. Doctor sent this link to me about the scale used for comas and thought it might be useful for those of you reading the Caring Bridge site. GCS Scale

5. Time to dispel one rumor: the police turned off their lights when they called in the tag. Not buying this one and I tend to believe Mr. Vance of the JPD. JPD has a no-pursuit policy for such high-speed chases involving traffic violations, something understandable after the death of Mr. Fowler's daughter, Jamie Fowler Boyll. Also, at 70 mph or so, it would have taken the Irbys only a couple of minutes to get from South River Oaks to Newland. In that time a cop would have had to pick them up, follow them, call in the tag, have a supervisor recognize who they were, and call off the chase before the Mercedes entered the area where witnesses saw the wreck take place. It doesn't add up and it is very doubtful the police were able to do all of that within 60 seconds or so. Until someone can show some real evidence such as a copy of a database search with a time stamp for that plate, such speculation does nothing but upset the victims' families and give the appearance of some type of cover-up when none existed. Even if the police were chasing the Mercedes, there was very little they could have done in that little amount of time. The second WLBT video posted below delves into the chase issue.

6. An investigation IS taking place. Investigators were knocking on doors in the neighborhood Friday as I personally answered one of the visits. The crime scene van was parked nearby for several hours Friday. See the second WLBT video for story on crash reconstruction investigation.

The mere thought of someone rich and well-connected getting drunk and then driving so recklessly two doctors are killed shocks the senses. Families are ruined as two promising young doctors are dead, a third person may still die, and there are small children who face the prospect of not having a father or a mother (due to injuries and possibly jail). Both families need prayers. If it is clinically determined Mrs. Irby was drunk, then she needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law possible, including vehicular homicide. If she was drinking, she made the choice to start drinking and made the choices along the way to get behind the wheel. If she drove drunk and killed these two doctors, it's not a tragedy but an outrage and she deserves to be in jail for as long as the law allows. Under the law, a blood alcohol test is mandatory as there was a fatality so all the speculation and rumors will be put to rest soon enough. However, we've had enough death and need to say a prayer that both survive and the families of the deceased recover and receive comfort during this time.

Media notes and further comments:
WLBT story from February 12
WLBT video
WLBT story February 13
WLBT video
February 12 Clarion-Ledger story
February 13 Clarion-Ledger story
February 14 Clarion-Ledger Story
WLBT story on crash reconstruction investigation
Clarion-Ledger story on crash reconstruction investigation

A Facebook page has been set up for the deceased: Please pray for the families of the Dr. Mark Pogue & Dr. Lisa Dedousis

There is a Facebook page set up for the Irbys: Praying for Stuart and Karen Irby for those who are interested in praying for their recovery.

The message boards of the Clarion-Ledger have been filled with posts covering the full range of emotions as friends, family members, and readers have made their feelings known:

Some comments from family and friends of the deceased (I'm posting them because everyone is talking about the Irbys but frankly, the two young doctors no longer with us need to be remembered). The number of comments removed probably set a record for the website.

"was Dr. John Dedousis' daughter or sister. He is my doctor in Bayonne, NJ and he was closed due to a family emergency. It was in our Bayonne newspaper but hasn't given any details. My prayers go out to him and his family in this tragic time. I pray for everyone involved but also that justice is served here. God Bless The Dedousis' and Pogue Families, and, of course, I would be heartless if I didn't include the Irby's. Barbara Kuzminski 2/14/2009 9:29:06 AM"

"As Lisa's niece I'd like to take the time out to thank everyone who has been praying for my family as well as Mark's. They both are two amazing people, and this is a tragedy that we will all live with every day for the rest of our lives. Although the circumstances are devastating, it is important not to make assumptions about what happened that night. There were no BAC levels released, so making accusations does not benefit anyone, especially the families of those hurt. However, with that being said, traveling at that type of speed is out of control and unnecessary. Thankfully, her children were not in the vehicle, but if it was up to me, I would want to see her in handcuffs on her hospital bed. In my eyes, she is a murderer and should have to live with that guilt for the rest of her life. It is karma that will be the real punishment
Again, I appreciate everyone's comments who has mentioned my family as well as the Pogue's. They were two beautiful people,and are in God's hands now.
2/13/2009 5:48:22 PM"

"Dr. Mark Pogue’s biological father is deceased, but he has a strong loving step-father who is helping Mark’s mother weather this tragedy. Mark’s mother and step father do not live in Jackson but do live in the state of Mississippi. Mark’s mother is a nurse and a wonderful person who has given much to her local community and the state of Mississippi through many years of being a great mother and an accomplished nurse. Mark also has an older brother who is providing wonderful support to his mother at this time of their loss and sadness. Mark’s extended family from Mississippi to Virginia, Illinois to California are praying for and supporting his mother. It is so tragic that Mark’s and Lisa’s lives were taken at a young age. Both were soon to be full-fledged Internal Medicine Doctors and most important of all, to be married. We were so proud of Mark and his achievements and the wonderful and beautiful young lady (Lisa) that he was to marry. I am one of Mark’s great-uncles
2/17/2009 11:56:59 AM"

"Mark was my husband's best friend. Mark had known what it was like to have plenty (of money) in his lifetime and he had known what it was like to have no money (at one point in medical school things got so bad he was living in his car). He was an entrepreneur as well as a doctor, having once owned a home iv infusion business. He never judged anyone based on whether they had money or not. He was a person who valued character. Think if the tables were turned. "2 rich doctors kill philanthropist and his wife in wreck". He would want the facts to come out and then justice to be served. He would not want to be crucified simply because he was rich, and I'm sure he wouldn't want that for the Irby's. Mark, we love you, and miss you terribly. 2/15/2009 12:34:49 PM "

"My husband and I met Mark back in Philadelphia, MS around 1999 or 2000. At the time he was a lab tech. My husband, a doctor, was talking to Mark about a lab result one day, and realized the incredible intelligence Mark had. He suggested Mark think about going to med school. Mark was like...oh I'm too old to do that now! But my husband convinced him he was not too old and it could be a reality. So they investigated together what might the fastest way be to do this because the traditional route would cost a lot of extra years. Mark ended up starting med school in the Caribbean and then transferred to England. Then he did several rotations here in the states and ended up at UMC for his residency. We had wished that he did not have to go to Arkansas to work after residency because we wanted him to stay here. The whole time we knew Mark, he was the most loving, genuine, caring, and loyal friend a person could have. We love you Mark. You will always be in our memories.
2/13/2009 9:22:11 AM"

One of the more clueless comments came from someone a commenter called "Buffy":
"I am still upset that the fact that Karen can be charged with manslauhter. It was an accident, and she and her husband are such good people who are so refined. Shouldn't the fact that she killed 2 people be her punishment since she will have to live with that everyday? I don't know much about legal, but is there anyway she can avoid charges? I feel so bad for her and her husband is fighting for his life. She is so much younger than he is and obviously loves him, they need to let this situation bring them to their knees and take their marriage vows seriously. For richer for poorer, for better for worse, for as long as you both shall live. On Valentines Day as he fights for his life, I hope she will stand by her man no matter what condition he will be in the future. God Bless all who are involved.
2/14/2009 9:09:06 AM "

Then there is the typical tone-deafness at the Jackson Free Press with the headline "Jackson Businessman and Wife Hospitalized after Head-On Collision" over this article:
"University Medical Center officials confirmed today that they admitted Jackson business man Stuart Irby and his wife Karen after a head-on collision on Old Canton road around 10:30 p.m. last night.
Stuart Irby was in critical condition this morning; Karen Irby was in serious condition.
The Irby’s black Mercedes collided with a pick-up truck, according to WLBT, which burst into flames, killing both passengers. Officials have identified the truck’s passengers as UMC resident, Dr. Mark Pogue, and his fiancé, Lisa Dedousis, from New Jersey.
"Horrific is probably too light of a word to describe this accident," Jackson Police spokesman Jeffery Scott told WLBT. "There were two individuals inside the Chevy pickup who were subsequently burned to death after the collision."
posted by Ronni M on 02/12/09 at 03:33 PM."