Early morning accident claims the life of one Gulfport man

Gulfport Police investigated a single vehicle accident which claimed the life of a 37-year-old Gulfport man.

According to Harrison County Deputy Coroner Brian Switzer, William Sample was not wearing a seat belt when he crashed his 2000 Chrysler Sedan which was travelling on Cuandet Road near Washington Avenue. The vehicle left the roadway landing upside down in a ditch filled with water. Sample was unresponsive when emergency units arrived.

Sample was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 this morning. His death is being ruled an accidental drowning.  A female passenger was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries and was released shortly after.

Anyone with information in regards to this accident is urged to contact the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959.