CLEVELAND, MS — A wave of grief has swept through the Cleveland and Boyle communities following a heartbreaking early-morning crash that claimed the lives of two Bayou Academy students. The fatal accident occurred just before 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at the intersection of Yale Street and Crosby Road, and involved a Bolivar County Sheriff’s deputy.
The victims have been identified as Ryder Houser and Joshua Benjamin, both minors and residents of Bolivar County. According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP), the boys were traveling in a pickup truck when their vehicle collided with a department-issued truck driven by Deputy Brionna Brown, 29, who was headed west on Yale Street.
Authorities confirmed that both Ryder and Joshua were pronounced dead at the scene. Deputy Brown was injured in the crash and transported for medical care; she is expected to recover.
The crash has left the Bayou Academy community shattered. Known for its close-knit environment, the school community is mourning the sudden loss of two young lives that held so much promise.
“Our hearts are shattered,” Bayou Academy shared in an emotional statement. “We mourn the loss of two of our own and extend our deepest sympathies to their families and friends.”
Friends, classmates, and teachers have begun gathering in remembrance, many struggling to comprehend the tragedy. Tributes filled social media feeds as the community poured out love and support for the families left behind.
Local churches and community leaders are organizing memorial events and prayer vigils to honor the boys, while counselors have been made available on campus to support grieving students and staff.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol continues its investigation into the cause of the crash. No charges have been filed at this time, and authorities have not indicated whether any will be pursued.
Funeral arrangements for Ryder and Joshua are expected to be announced in the coming days. Meanwhile, the entire Cleveland area is united in mourning—lifting up the Houser and Benjamin families and holding tight to memories of two boys gone far too soon.
May Ryder Houser and Joshua Benjamin rest in eternal peace
