Jones County deputy and family injured after vehicle strikes their mule-drawn wagon

JONES COUNTY, Miss. by Don Hill (VDN) — A Jones County sheriff’s deputy, his wife, and children are recovering after a vehicle struck their mule-drawn wagon late Sunday evening. Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy Jamey Beard said his family was thrown from the wagon onto the highway, but miraculously survived with injuries — and is giving all glory to God for sparing their lives.

On Sunday, April 13, Jamey Beard, his wife Bethany, and two of their three children, Braise and Brixton, were traveling along a Highway 63 late Sunday evening when they were struck from the rear by a vehicle. After being thrown from the vehicle during the crash, Beard said he was able to get to his feet and move his family to safety—”just seconds before other unknowing motorist traveled through our location.”

“First and foremost, I have to give all the glory to God, because He is the only reason that myself, Bethany, Snake Dog [their son, Braise], and Bug [their daughter, Brixton] are still here,” Beard said. “I’m glad He chose to give me the strength to get up off the asphalt after flying through the air, which seemed like an [eternity], and come to my senses quickly despite my injuries.”

Beard said that although they are “banged up, broke up, and look like boiled crawfish from all the road rash,” they are in good spirits and thankful to have survived. One of the 1000-pound mules was killed in the accident.

Jamey sustained back fractures, a separated shoulder, facial injuries, and road rash, and was kept overnight at Wayne General Hospital. Bethany had a broken finger, leg and knee injuries, a head bruise, and extensive bruising and road rash. Brixten had a minor lung injury, facial swelling, and road rash; she was treated and released from Wayne General Hospital. Braise suffered a liver injury, four broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a partially detached earlobe, and severe road rash. He is being treated at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“We’re still here kicking—maybe not as hard as before—but we’re kicking,” he said.

Both he and his wife expressed heartfelt gratitude in separate Facebook posts to first responders and medical teams, including Clara Volunteer Fire Department, Wayne General Hospital ambulance service, AirCare from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop J, Unit 36. They also thanked the dispatchers at Wayne County Emergency Management for their swift response.

In Beard’s FaceBook post he also thanked his work family at Jones County Sheriff’s Department, “for going above and beyond,” as well as a reminder for people to keep the other driver in their prayers.

Beard’s sister, Whitney Beard, created a GoFundMe for the family, but only listed the minumum of $1,000, stating: “I only chose $1,000 goal simply because it would not allow me to put $0. I do not want to set a goal, I just simply want our community to show them how much love; support, and prayers are behind them.”

As of today, only the Beard’s son, Braise, is still in the hospital and is recovering, with Bethany stating in an update that “yesterday’s X-ray showed the pneumothorax was almost completely resolved. Oxygen stats are stable so that’s no longer a real concern. At this time, our biggest issue to overcome is his wounds and mobility. We will hear [in] a few more days.”

“We’ve got a long road ahead, but we’ll be just fine,” Jamey said. “Once again, thank you.”