A Natchez man died early Sunday morning after a bike accident on D’Evereux Drive late Saturday evening.

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said that Jimmy Jermaine Johnson, 35, of Natchez was riding a bike in the westbound lane of D’Evereux Drive at approximately 10:30 p.m. Saturday evening when driver Jarius Thompson merged into the right lane of traffic while attempting to pass another vehicle. Armstrong said Thompson did not see Johnson before striking Johnson on his bike.

Armstrong said Thompson was administered drug and alcohol tests as required the state for fatal accidents.

Armstrong said Johnson was bleeding from his head after the accident and was transported to Merit Health Natchez where he later died.

Adams County Coroner James Lee said he pronounced Johnson dead at 1:10 a.m. Sunday morning when a helicopter crew that was going to transfer Johnson to another hospital lost Johnson’s pulse and heart rate prior to boarding the aircraft.

“This accident was heart-breaking,” Lee said. “My sincere prayers to his family and friends.”