Runnels said the Beau-mont Police Department was chasing a four-door Dodge car traveling south on Eight Mile Road, three miles outside of Beaumont.

"They were going at high rate of speed and just left the road and hit a tree," he said.

The car caught on fire when it hit the tree, Runnels said.

Beaumont Police Chief Wayne Penton was unable to provide further details about the accident late Friday.

"The accident is under investigation," he said.

The wreck brings to 40 the number of police chase-related deaths in Mississippi since 2000.

Friday's deaths come more than a year after an August 2002 police pursuit that began in Collins and ended on U.S. 49 in Hattiesburg, killing Marlene Pratt, 49, and Jarriett Huey, 16, both of Hattiesburg. Their vehicle was struck by a car that police were chasing.

Lejeaner Tamacia Flowers, 16, of Collins is charged with manslaughter. She is scheduled to be tried in April.

Police pursuit-related accidents have been discussed by the Legislature for the past couple of years. The Legislature this year created a commission to study the issue.

The Commission on Police Pursuit Standards and Procedures earlier this month completed a series of statewide public hearings.

The commission heard testimony from law enforcement officials, victims and their families, many of whom called for a statewide policy on police pursuits, public education and penalties for those who run from police.

The commission is scheduled to present its recommendations to lawmaker in late January or early February. The commission is scheduled to convene on Jan. 18 to review testimony from the public hearings.

"They were going at a high rate of speed and just left the road and hit a tree.''

- Jimmy Runnels, Perry County coroner