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Woman accused of killing Canton teacher in DUI crash pleads not guilty

By Kaitlin Howell Oct 9, 2024 | 5:10 PM

MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – The woman accused of causing a fatal DUI crash in Madison County pled not guilty in the case.

In September 2024, a Madison County grand jury indicted Jordan Leah Sullivan, of Louisville, on the charge of aggravated DUI. She pled not guilty to the charge on October 7, 2024.

Gluckstadt police said Sullivan was previously released on a $250,000 bond.

The crash occurred on Interstate 55 in Gluckstadt on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Police said Sullivan’s vehicle was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when the wrong-way driver struck a vehicle traveling northbound head-on.

  • Jordan Leah Sullivan (Courtesy: Madison County Detention Center)
  • Tyra Small-Jackson (Courtesy: Canton Public School District)

The victim, Tyra Small-Jackson, of Canton, had to be extricated from her vehicle and died from her injuries. Two other passengers inside the vehicle at the time of the crash were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Gluckstadt police said Sullivan had a prior DUI arrest.

Officials with the Canton Public School District 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 in the district.