Middle school teacher in Canton killed by suspected drunk driver

CANTON, Mississippi (WJTV) – A Canton middle school teacher was killed in a traffic crash caused by a suspected drunk driver, authorities said.

The accident occurred on Saturday, June 22, on Interstate 55 in Glückstadt.

According to the Glückstadt police, a vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lane when the wrong-way driver collided head-on with a vehicle traveling north.

The victim, Tyra Small-Jackson of Canton, had to be extricated from her vehicle and succumbed to her injuries. Two other passengers who were in the vehicle at the time of the accident were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police identified the wrong-way driver as Jordan Leah Sullivan of Louisville. She was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said Sullivan is currently facing aggravated driving while intoxicated charge pending toxicology results.

Canton Public School District officials said Small-Jackson was a teacher at Nichols Middle School. She was selected as the school’s 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year and received numerous awards during her tenure with the district.

“Her wonderful spirit will live on forever in the memories and in the hearts and minds of the countless lives she touched. We are grateful for Mrs. Small-Jackson’s years of outstanding service to the Canton Public School District. She dedicated her life to making sure her students felt loved and prepared for the next level. She will be truly missed,” school district officials said.