Anthony Hervey, killed in wreck, was piece of Oxford history

A man who has been considered an Oxford fixture for at least the last two decades died in a car accident following a flag rally on Sunday, officials said.

Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy confirmed that a man killed in a rollover car crash near Oxford was Anthony Hervey, who has been an outspoken member of the Oxford community. in favor of the Confederate flag, for as long as most people can remember.

Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Johnny Poulos said the accident took place on Highway 6 near the Pontotoc County line around 11:20 a.m. The two were traveling west in a 2005 Ford Explorer when it left the road and the driver overcorrected and the vehicle flipped.

Hervey, 49, died of his injuries.

A release from Trooper Ray Hall said a passenger was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

At this point, no more details than that can be released, Poulos said, until accident reconstructionists have had a chance to take a look at the evidence.

"Tomorrow will probably be a busy day," Poulos said.

An account given by the passenger makes the accident seem rather suspicious.

The MacAlester News-Capital is reporting that a woman named Arlene Barnham had given Hervey a ride to the rally in Birmingham, Alabama. On their way back to Oxford, they were involved in an accident.

Reportedly, Hervey was driving and feared they were being chased. Hervey told Barnham he noticed a silver car speeding to catch up to them, and then it swerved into their passenger side.

Barnham told the News-Capital even when Hervey sped up to get away, the car continued to pursue them. At some point, that's what she said caused the crash.

Hervey is the author of "Why I wave the Confederate Flag: Written by a Black Man." He was well-known for wearing a Confederate uniform and waving a Rebel flag on the Oxford square. He would often attract a crowd as he spoke about his views on the subject.

Kennedy said officials are putting together a press release on the accident. Poulos reiterated that authorities will not be able to release further details until the investigation has moved further along.

This is a developing story.