Ingalls employee dies after being hit walking to work

A mother of four who was walking to work for her shift at Ingalls Shipbuilding on Wednesday morning was hit and later died.

Nakia Newsome, the mother of the victim, identified her as 28-year-old Keiaja Barnes.

Barnes was taken to USA Health University Hospital after she was hit and Barnes died Thursday, Newsome said, leaving behind children aged 6, 4, 2 and 5 1/2 months old.

Ingalls officials confirmed the incident at the shipyard.

“Early Wednesday morning, a shipbuilder was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Jerry St. Pe’ Highway on foot. Despite the rapid response from Ingalls emergency personnel and the Pascagoula Police Department she succumbed to her injures,” said Ingalls spokeswoman Kimberly Aguillard.

“As we deal with this loss, please keep the families and friends of all shipbuilders impacted in your thoughts and prayers.”