Mississippi State biological sciences major Derrick M. Beard died Sept. 11 in Webster County. The 22-year-old was killed in a one-car accident around 7:30 a.m. outside Eupora in Webster County, according to The Vicksburg Post.
Responding officials used Beard’s 2005 Ford Mustang’s vehicle registration information to contact the family. A Mississippi Crime Laboratory investigation positively confirmed Beard as the victim on Sept. 16.
Webster County Coroner Steve Wells told The Post 911 dispatchers received a call saying a car had veered off U.S. 82 and was on fire. Wells said the vehicle was eastbound and initial observations indicated the Mustang left the highway, became airborne, crashed into trees and landed in a creek where it burned.
Based on a search of the area, Wells said there were no passengers in the car.
Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol spokesman Brian Mobley told The Post the accident was still under investigation and there was no indication of the vehicle’s speed.
It is still unclear where Beard was traveling, but there is speculation he might have been traveling to or from Hattiesburg. Senior forestry major Curtis Robertson, Beard’s best friend and former roommate, told The Post Beard might have made a wrong turn.
A 2006 Warren Central High School graduate, Beard was third baseman for the high school baseball team and a National Honor Society member.
Beard’s friends and family said he was passionate about hunting, fishing and being outdoors.
His sister, Candis Beard, said Derrick spent as much time as he could hunting and fishing with his friends and family.
“When I was going to school there [MSU], we went fishing in Louisville all the time,” she said.
She said the two of them and some friends also hunted at the Noxubee Refuge and on private land in the area on many weekends.
David Beard, Derrick’s father, said his son not only enjoyed the outdoors but also had a knack for catching game.
“He was an avid hunter and fisherman,” he said. “Curtis [Robertson] always used to say he [Derrick] could catch a fish out of a mud hole when no one else could catch anything.”
Robertson said Derrick loved working on cars and trucks, and Candis Beard said his interest in cars increased in college.
“It was more so after he got that Mustang,” she said. “That was his baby.”
David Beard said Derrick Beard spent his first year at the University of Mississippi on scholarships for biology.
“Originally out of high school, he thought he would go to med school,” he said. “He did go to Ole Miss his first year and hated it. He transferred to State and loved every minute of it.”
David Beard said Derrick Beard came to MSU with a family heritage, as both himself, Candis Beard and Derrick’s grandfather graduated from MSU.
Candis Beard said in high school Derrick planned on becoming an anesthesiologist. She said he had already taken the MCAT and needed his bachelor’s degree to complete the requirements for medical school.
Robertson said Derrick Beard had been thinking about medical school, but said he had also mentioned obtaining a master’s degree.
In an e-mailed statement, Susan Kittrell, Derrick’s girlfriend for a year and a half, said Derrick had originally chosen his major to pursue medical school, but was interested in working at a zoo.
“He loved the idea and couldn’t wait to do it,” she said. “It brought a smile on his face every time he talked about it.”
Kittrell said Derrick Beard had a good sense of humor and was always cracking jokes or playing pranks.
Candis Beard and Robertson said Derrick enjoyed being with people and liked playing poker and cards at his friends’ houses.
Robertson, who had known Derrick Beard since age 11, said Derrick was one of the smartest people he knew.
“He was very intelligent,” Robertson said. “He loved random facts and loved to read and figure things out.”
Candis Beard said Derrick’s death has made her family realize how much of an impact Derrick left on others.
“He influenced a lot of people he came in contact with, and we’ve really realized that through all of this,” she said. “There were about 1,000 people at the visitation alone. We couldn’t get everyone into the funeral home.”
Robertson echoed Candis’s sentiment, saying, “He was probably one of the most considerate people I knew.”
The funeral was held Sept. 18 at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg. Any memorials can be made in his honor to the Vicksburg Animal Shelter or Catch a Dream at catchadream.com.