Bond has been set at $300,000 for a Vicksburg man accused in the death of a woman in a fatal single-vehicle wreck on Halls Ferry Road Jan. 18.

Marquise Rashad Holmes, 25, 311 Pleasant Valley Drive, was officially charged with culpable negligence and aggravated assault Tuesday in the weekend death of 20-year-old Marniqua Stamps, who died in the wreck.

Holmes’ bond was set by Municipal Judge Angela Carpenter at an initial appearance Tuesday afternoon. He is represented by Vicksburg attorney Mike R. Bonner, who was at the hearing.

Holmes was being held in the Warren County Jail, and his case will be referred to the next grand jury.

According to police reports, the 2007 Nissan Altima driven by Christina Howard was southbound on Halls Ferry when it went off the left side of the road, struck a tree and burst into flames just before midnight Jan. 18 in the 4100 block of Halls Ferry.

Both women were removed from the vehicle by several bystanders and taken directly to UMMC.

It was later discovered that a black Chevrolet Tahoe was following the vehicle at a high rate of speed. Police identified the driver of the Tahoe as Holmes, a volunteer firefighter for Fisher Ferry Volunteer Fire Department. Police were told Holmes used his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the Altima, which later crashed.

Vicksburg police Lt. Johnnie Edwards said Holmes stayed at the scene and helped get Stamps and Howard, 23, out of the car. Howard remains hospitalized.

Holmes was arrested Jan. 19 about 5:30 p.m. at the Vicksburg Police Department.

Edwards said the case remains under investigation.

“We’re aware of the single vehicle crash that occurred in the 4100 block of Hall’s Ferry Road,” Warren County fire coordinator Jerry Briggs said. “Marquise Holmes is a member in good standing with the Fisher Ferry Volunteer Fire Department.

“State law allows volunteer firefighters to have red lights and to use them when responding to emergency situations, but there was no known emergency for Mr. Holmes to respond to at that time. The Warren County Fire Service offers our sincere condolences to the victims and their families.”