East Bernard ISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jeremy Jenkins and his wife, Brandy Jenkins, a teacher at East Bernard Junior High School, were killed Saturday night in a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 60 in Wharton County.
According to information released by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred at approximately 10:07 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, on Highway 60 near County Road 210. DPS reported that a 2025 Tesla Model Y was traveling northbound on Highway 60 and approaching a curve when the vehicle left the roadway to the east and overturned. The driver, Jeremy Shane Jenkins, 51, of East Bernard, and passenger Brandy Renee Jenkins, 46, of East Bernard, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
DPS said the crash remains under investigation. No additional information regarding the cause of the crash was available Sunday afternoon.
Jenkins Family Part of East Bernard ISD
Jeremy Jenkins was serving as East Bernard ISD’s athletic director and head football coach and was preparing to begin his third football season with the district. Brandy Jenkins had recently joined East Bernard ISD as a teacher at East Bernard Junior High School. The district began its 2026-27 school year on Wednesday, Aug. 12, three days before the crash. East Bernard ISD Superintendent Courtney Hudgins confirmed the deaths Sunday and announced that counseling and support services would be available for students and staff. Jeremy and Brandy Jenkins leave behind three sons, Tyson, Gage and Jake.
Jenkins Led Brahmas to State Semifinals
Jeremy Jenkins was hired by East Bernard ISD in February 2024 after serving for two seasons as athletic director and head football coach at Harmony High School in East Texas. During his first two seasons at East Bernard, Jenkins led the Brahmas to a combined 20-7 record. The Brahmas advanced to the Class 3A Division II state semifinals during the 2025 season. After beginning the season with three consecutive losses, East Bernard won 10 of its next 11 games, including playoff victories over Poth, Lexington and previously unbeaten Tidehaven. East Bernard’s playoff run ended with a loss to eventual state champion Newton in the state semifinals. The Brahmas are currently scheduled to open the 2026 football season Friday, Aug. 28, at home against Sweeny. Before coming to East Bernard, Jenkins led Harmony to the Class 3A Division II state semifinals in 2022 and a 10-3 record the following season. He previously served as head football coach at Mount Enterprise in 2019 and Tenaha in 2020 and 2021. Jenkins compiled a 67-24 record during seven seasons as a head coach. A graduate of Cayuga High School and the University of Texas at Tyler, Jenkins had worked in education for more than two decades.
Third Fatal Highway 60 Crash Since July
Saturday’s crash is the third fatal crash reported on State Highway 60 in Wharton County since early July. On July 7, two East Bernard residents were killed in a collision involving their vehicle and a semi-truck on Highway 60 north of Hungerford. On July 13, two Bellville men were killed in a head-on collision involving two tractor-trailers on Highway 60 near County Road 205. Including Saturday night’s crash, six people have died in the three incidents on Highway 60 in Wharton County since July 7. No connection between the crashes has been reported.
The investigation into Saturday night’s crash remains ongoing.
