Family demands justice after Canton teacher killed by suspected drunk driver

MADISON COUNTY, Mississippi (WJTV) – The family of Tyra Small-Jackson is demanding justice after police say she was killed in a traffic crash caused by a suspected drunk driver.

Small-Jackson was killed in a traffic accident on Interstate 55 in Gluckstadt on Saturday, June 22. Gluckstadt police said a wrong-way driver named Jordan Leah Sullivan of Louisville collided head-on with Small-Jackson’s vehicle.

Small-Jackson’s mother and three sisters are still coming to terms with the tragedy that occurred on their mother’s birthday.

“I had just come home from a birthday party with my daughter, her daughter and their families. My baby called me and told me. She said, ‘Mommy, you have to come down.’ I knew something had happened. My heart broke, it felt like it was going to jump out of my chest because she had just left, it was like she had just left me,” said Bennie Small, Small-Jackson’s mother.

Sullivan was charged with drunk driving and was given a $250,000 bond on Monday, June 24. According to the Gluckstadt Police Department, Sullivan has been arrested once before for drunk driving.

“We’ve seen drug dealers not get bail, but only get a million dollar bail. For this person to take a life like that and get a $250,000 bail is a little lenient in my opinion,” said Sharetta Donalson, Small-Jackson’s sister.

“I wish every time she closes her eyes she sees my daughter’s face. When she closes her eyes at night, that’s what I wish for. I hope she sees my daughter’s face. I hope she can’t sleep because she sees my daughter’s face,” Small said.

Canton Public School District officials said Small-Jackson was a teacher at Nichols Middle School. The family hopes to keep her memory alive as a beloved sister and educator.

“She was a great mother, a great sister, a great aunt and a great grandmother. A great wife,” said Marsha Warfield, Small-Jackson’s sister.

“It is our job and duty to speak for them until justice is done in their favor,” Donalson said.