Jackson Free Press

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.

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."

Previous Comments

ID

143549

Comment

My prayers go out to the families of the deceased. I pray that the Irbys will make full recoveries as well.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-02-12T17:12:40-06:00

ID

143552

Comment

I saw the wreckage on the news. Unbelievable. Sending up prayers...

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-02-12T19:38:37-06:00

ID

143586

Comment

Why isn't this clip titled "Two Die in Car Accident, Two Others Hospitalized?"

Author

emsy

Date

2009-02-14T21:33:18-06:00

ID

143587

Comment

No kidding. It really surprises me that the JFP would do this. I mean two people that were residents at UMMC were killed and the title of the article and the article itself seems to place more concern for those injured than those that were killed. I always thought that the JFP was a place where the tentacles of the Jackson "luminaries" (JFP words for the Irby's) would not reach. I guess I was wrong. You should be ashamed! It's been several days and the title of this could have been revised. Or perhaps this paper is not as "free" as it proclaims itself to be.

Author

ellis

Date

2009-02-15T07:18:38-06:00

ID

143593

Comment

There was no evil intent, Ellis. I asked Ronni to put together something quickly Friday afternoon, and she posted this. Not sure where you got "luminaries," but that's not in the post. It's not as if we are particularly close to the Irby couple, although his daughter is dear to me. Besides that and as a news outlet, we are very concerned that this incident be covered just as diligently than a similar tragedy to non-"luminaries," wherever that word came from. We fully intend to request the police reports and watchdog it as it moves forward, regardless of who likes that or not. For now, though, prayers are most in order for the families of all the victims. Beyond that, for God's sake, this is a horrible tragedy for everyone involved, and will continue to be for the families for the rest of their lives, so stop trying to use it in a trivial way in a petty newspaper war. There is way too much of that crap that goes on anonymously in this town. I'm not playing this game with you or anyone else. I suggest you join me on the high road.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-02-15T14:08:02-06:00

ID

143604

Comment

ladd said: Beyond that, for God's sake, this is a horrible tragedy for everyone involved, and will continue to be for the families for the rest of their lives, Indeed, go to the cl blog on this subject matter and see the vitrol that an un-regulated forum can produce. I mean come on the CL needs to take those threads down now. I can't imagine the grief and fear at this point with both families. They are still not even sure that He is going to live are they? He's still not awake. From the pics I can't believe all four of them weren't killed. You don't come back from that kind of trauma very easily. God ease their souls.

Author

atlntaexile

Date

2009-02-15T17:24:07-06:00

ID

143607

Comment

http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/politics/comments.php?id=5711_0_41_0_C I know how things work, especially in Jackson. I've had many years experience working in Jackson area media. Beyond that I've had my hands on many, many accident victims (too many to count) and have had to tell too many fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends that their loved one is gone. In this world perception is 9/10 of what people believe. I apologize if I rubbed you the wrong way. I was very frustrated and tried to express that the title of the article gives the appearance that societal stature played a big part in the wording. If I were a friend or loved one of either of the doctors it would seem as if my beloved ones were a side note to the incident. And I've read the CL posts and they are horrible. I'm not trying to imply any judgement upon the Irby's. I do not know any of them and that type of judgement is above my pay grade. My thoughts to all involved and I apologize again if I have offended anyone.

Author

ellis

Date

2009-02-16T04:36:06-06:00

ID

143608

Comment

If anyone wants to keep up with the condition of the Irbys, go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stuartirby.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2009-02-16T05:34:11-06:00

ID

143613

Comment

I didn't mind you pointing it out, Ellis. But there was kind of accusation in your post about us, supposedly, protecting "luminaries," even though Ronni didn't use that word. Agreed, though, the CL posts are horrible. I can't believe they're allowing people to post all of those personal attacks. Of course, they did when the young man was killed on Riverside as well, and in various other tragedies, so at least they are equal opportunity. Irresponsible, but equal opportunity. I can't imagine how this is going to help them rebuild community trust and respect. I truly think all they care about is page views. Why else would you allow all that nastiness on your Web site? Page views are important business-wise, but at what cost? And imagine people you run off when you allow such comments. Anyway. Prayers, prayers, prayers to all involved. This is such a horrible tragedy, every way imaginable.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-02-16T10:07:10-06:00

ID

143616

Comment

Luminaries was used to describe a group that included the Irby's in a previous article by the JFP. I copied the link in my previous post. Perhaps I took it out of context because the article is referring to a group of Melton supporters. Given the close proximity of the accident to Frank's house it is quite the ironic, metaphoric twist of fate - perhaps. Prayers continue. It sounds like the Irby's are recovering quite well considering the severity of the accident.

Author

ellis

Date

2009-02-16T10:13:50-06:00

ID

143618

Comment

Oh, I see. I haven't thought about that hilarious thread in four years! Funny you would remember it. (And I suspect there are folks out there who'd rather it not be brought to the top again, considering.) I suppose you've seen by now that the word "luminaries" was not exactly used in an adoring way in that piece about various Republicans who were supporting/funding Melton's campaign. So pulling that forward above to accuse us of pandering to the same "luminaries" didn't make any sense. However, I will believe that you posted it without thinking it through. It's a really intriguing (and ridiculous) thread about the conspiracy that, er, was suppposedly behind the JFP's criticism of Melton back then, but I will ask that anyone who reads it and wants to comment not do it here in order to preserve (reclaim) the integrity of this post about the horrible accident last week. You're welcome to post under it there, though, should you please. I don't mind if it floats back to the top. It's rather educational—and shows that we were trying to warn people about the mess that would be Mayor Melton.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-02-16T10:26:48-06:00

ID

143683

Comment

I hope the Irbys pull through this and would never wish anything worse to come to them but it seems to me a lot of people are overlooking the fact that 2 people are dead, one of whom, on another night could possibly have been an attending physician fighting to save their lives. The whole thing is a tragedy, but I just wanted to say my piece for Dr. Pogue and his fiance who will never see another day. I hope this isnt taken the wrong way, as I dont mean anything bad at all by my thoughts-just thinking of those that dont seem to be getting all the attention- With that Ill stop and pray for all 4 involved, plus the families whose lives have been changed forever.

Author

kcaven

Date

2009-02-17T20:54:06-06:00

ID

143686

Comment

Nothing wrong with that, Kip; I think that's exactly what we're all doin: praying for all the families.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-02-17T21:54:39-06:00

ID

143687

Comment

There is much too much sadness in this world; this is indeed a horrible tragedy. Ladd is right . . . praying for all the families is what we need now; even if you are a non-believer. There is plenty of time later for accountability, retribution, revenge, justice or whatever the proper or politically correct term is. Perhaps there is even time for forgiveness of some sort. That's what I feel in my rather unsophisticated and uneducated Methodist beliefs. Like many of you, I've known Stuart Irby, and his family (his dad in particular), for many years. There's no question about the public good they've done and, oftentimes, anonymously. That, however, is not even an issue here, nor should it be. I, and my family and friends, grieve for ALL of the families involved here; the Pogues, the Dedousis' and even the Irbys, no matter how regretful the circumstances might turn out to be. They ALL deserve our prayers. It just doesn't get much worse than this. Sadly, many, many lives have been impacted forever. However, the true character of the "community" of the Jackson as we know it is being tested right now. Let's make sure that it makes us proud. While some of us may be angry in our grieving, we should avoid the pitfall of allowing the anguish to turn into hatred. I really don't think that Drs. Pogue and Dedousis would want that either, given the kind of people they were. May the peace of the Lord be with all of you through this tragic time. Amen.

Author

FriendsofJackson

Date

2009-02-17T23:41:21-06:00