By David Howell

Two Panola Countians lost their lives this week in vehicle-related fires.

A 33-year-old Sardis man was killed in a one-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning on Union Road after he lost control of his truck.

Panola County Coroner Gracie Grant-Gulledge reported the victim was Jack Gillentine, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

“We feel like he lost control of his truck and left the road,” Gulledge said about the accident.  His vehicle struck several trees before catching fire, Gulledge also said.

The second vehicle fatality occurred Monday afternoon near Courtland on Nelson Spur Road.

Gulledge said Roma Sutton, age 73, was killed after her car also caught fire.

“We are not actually sure what caused the fire,” Gulledge said about the Monday accident. Possible factors could have been spinning tires or the catalytic convertor, according to Gulledge. Sutton was turning in her daughter’s driveway when her vehicle entered the road ditch.

Gulledge said autopsies will be performed for both fatalities, a requirement in a burn-related death.

“You have to do the autopsies to try and pull DNA,” Gulledge said. The DNA samples are used to identify the victim.

Fire departments from Como and Sardis backed up Union Fire Department in the response to Gillentine’s accident.

Funeral arrangements for Gillentine were not complete at press time. Gulledge said his mother, Joyce Gillentine, was in Florida at the time of the accident and was working to get a flight home Wednesday morning.

Graveside funeral services were scheduled Thursday afternoon, March 19, at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville for Sutton.

She is survived by two daughters, Lisa Sutton Cox of Chandler, Texas, and Leigh Ann Sutton Benson of Pope; a sister, Ethel Russell French of Memphis; four brothers, Harry Russell, Gladden Russell, and Billy Russell, all of Batesville, and Joe Mac Russell of Biloxi; three grandchildren a one great-granddaughter.

Wells Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.