CLEVELAND, MS — A tragic morning crash in Bolivar County has left the Cleveland community heartbroken, as two young lives were lost in a devastating collision involving a sheriff’s deputy near Yale Street and Crosby Road. The victims have been identified as Ryder Houser and Joshua Benjamin, both students at Bayou Academy.
The fatal accident occurred just before 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, when the pickup truck carrying Ryder and Joshua collided with a Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office vehicle driven by 29-year-old Deputy Brionna Brown. According to preliminary reports from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Deputy Brown was traveling westbound on Yale Street when she struck the teens’ northbound truck at the intersection. Both Ryder and Joshua were pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputy Brown sustained injuries and was transported for medical treatment. Authorities have confirmed she is expected to recover.
The tragic news has sent shockwaves throughout Bayou Academy and the greater Cleveland and Boyle communities, where Ryder and Joshua were known as bright, kind-hearted young men with promising futures.
In a statement released Tuesday, Bayou Academy expressed the collective sorrow felt by students, staff, and families:
“Our hearts are shattered. We mourn the loss of two of our own and extend our deepest sympathies to their families and friends. We ask for continued prayers and privacy as we navigate this difficult time.”
Counselors have been made available on campus to support grieving students and staff. Vigils are being planned as friends and classmates come together to remember Ryder and Joshua—not just as students, but as sons, teammates, and friends who left an indelible mark on those around them.
As the investigation continues, the Mississippi Highway Patrol has not released further details regarding the cause of the crash or whether any charges are under consideration. Authorities have asked the public for patience and respect for the families as they determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, the community is rallying around the Houser and Benjamin families, offering prayers, donations, and a shared grief that underscores just how deeply loved these young boys were.
May Ryder Houser and Joshua Benjamin rest in eternal peace