Authorities have released the identity of the woman whose body was discovered along Interstate 20 in Meridian, Mississippi, on the morning of Saturday, September 13, 2025. The victim has been identified as Johanna Nieves-Velazquez, 52, according to Lauderdale County Coroner Stella McMahan.

McMahan confirmed that her office received a call shortly before 6:00 a.m. that morning. Emergency personnel responded to the eastbound lanes of I-20 near the I-59/I-20 split, close to the Meridian Regional Airport, where Nieves-Velazquez was found deceased. Based on the preliminary investigation, McMahan said it appears that she was struck by a vehicle.

Details about how the fatal incident unfolded remain limited. The Meridian Police Department, led by Assistant Chief Dareall Thompson, has confirmed that the case is still under investigation.

At this time, it is not clear whether the driver involved remained at the scene or whether the vehicle that struck Nieves-Velazquez has been identified. Officials have not released information about potential witnesses or circumstances that may have led to the tragedy.

The discovery early Saturday morning disrupted traffic in the area, as police and emergency responders worked to secure the scene and gather evidence. Investigators spent hours surveying the roadway, documenting skid marks, vehicle debris, and other potential clues to determine how Nieves-Velazquez came to be struck. The Mississippi Highway Patrol has also been notified, though the Meridian Police Department is leading the case.

The death of Nieves-Velazquez has raised questions within the community, particularly because the incident occurred in a highly visible and busy stretch of highway near a major transportation hub. Local residents traveling along the I-20 corridor that morning expressed shock as news spread that a woman had been killed so suddenly and violently.

Authorities have not yet released information about Nieves-Velazquez’s background, family, or place of residence. Coroner McMahan noted that her office is working closely with relatives to provide support during this difficult time. Formal arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days once the family has had time to process their loss.

Assistant Chief Thompson emphasized that investigators are treating the case with urgency and sensitivity. “This remains an active investigation,” he said, adding that law enforcement is encouraging anyone who may have been traveling eastbound on I-20 during the early morning hours of September 13 to come forward if they saw anything unusual. Even seemingly minor details, he explained, could help reconstruct the timeline of events and lead to answers.

The Meridian Police Department is urging drivers with dashboard cameras or businesses located near the I-20/I-59 split to review any footage from the time frame surrounding the incident. Such video evidence could prove critical in determining what happened in the moments leading up to Nieves-Velazquez’s death.

For now, the community mourns the loss of Johanna Nieves-Velazquez, whose life ended far too soon on a Mississippi highway. As investigators continue their work, loved ones and residents alike are hoping for clarity and accountability in the days ahead.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Meridian Police Department directly as the search for answers continues.