The New Orleans businessman whose company owns and manages one of Mississippi’s grand mansions has died.

Real estate developer Joe Jaeger, 77, who owns Dunleith Historic Inn in Natchez, died Sunday in New Orleans from injuries sustained in a June 19 two-vehicle crash in Folsom.

According to Louisiana State Police, Jaeger was driving a 2024 GMC Terrain, attempting to turn from a private drive onto Louisiana Highway 25 when the crash occurred shortly before 5:45 a.m.

Jaeger’s vehicle was struck by an oncoming 2020 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, which could not avoid striking the front driver’s side of Jaeger’s SUV.

Jaeger, who was raised in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, began his career as a plumber’s apprentice at 19 and by 25 had become president and CEO of MCC Group, a regional leader in construction and real estate development. The J Collection, which falls under the MCC umbrella, owns and operates 19 hotels in New Orleans and surrounding areas, including Dunleith Inn in Natchez.

The J Collection purchased Dunleith in November 2019, when the property had been in foreclosure due to the previous owners’ bankruptcy.

The company invested more than $1 million in renovating Dunleith before purchasing the adjacent Margaret Martin school property from the city, with plans to develop it as part of the inn.