Parks Director Cody Bryan recovering after being hit by vehicle

The head of Philadelphia Parks, Cody Bryan, has a long recovery after he was hit by a car on the side of Highway 15 last weekend but close family friends said his physical health and strength will guide him through it.

“He is the kind of person that will make lemonade out of lemons,” Lee Ann Fulton, a long-time family friend, said. “He is a good, good guy, and I know his family is very blessed and very thankful.”

Sheriff Eric Clark said a gray Toyota Corolla hit Bryan while he was driving a hunting cart to access some private hunting land adjacent to Highway 15 at 5:32 p.m. on Nov. 12.

“I do not have all the details,” Clark said Friday, Nov. 19, noting that Mississippi Highway Patrol was handling the investigation, but he was able to confirm that the incident occurred on Highway 15 South just north of Road 351.

Fortunately, Clark said, that location is within sight of a Linwood Volunteer Fire Station.

Clark said his office assisted along with two EMS units and Philadelphia Fire Rescue as well as local volunteers from the Linwood and Fairview Volunteer Fire Departments.

MHP Sgt. Jameka Moore said he did not have anything to add from the Highway Patrol report on Friday, Nov. 19.

Fulton said Bryan was flown to the University of Southern Alabama Hospital in Mobile from Neshoba General Hospital sometime after the accident due to his injuries. However, she said he returned home on Friday, Nov. 19, and is getting settled. Fulton said she could not comment on the extent of Bryan’s injuries but noted that his rehab would be difficult but doable.

“All I will say is that he has a long road of rehab ahead of him,” Fulton said. “Cody is strong. He is a runner. He is in good physical shape and is up to the task and ready to do the work.”

Fulton has known Bryan since he was young; she guesses about 28 years. He is good friends with her sons, Coker and Kip.

“He grew up at our house, and our sons grew up at his,” Fulton said. “They are just our family, and we love him and will help all we can.”