The quiet stretch of road in Chambers County turned into a scene of heartbreak Friday evening when a single-vehicle crash claimed four lives in an instant. Among the victims were three young passengers, their futures cut short in a crash that has shaken families and a tight-knit community to its core.
Authorities say the crash happened around 7:00 p.m. on April 10, 2026, along FM 563, just under a mile south of Interstate 10. A 2005 Chrysler 300, driven by 37-year-old Kara Beagle of Liberty, was traveling along the roadway when it suddenly veered off course. Investigators say the car left the pavement and slammed into a tree.
Emergency crews arrived to find a devastating scene. Kara Beagle was pronounced dead at the scene. So were all three passengers riding with her. There were no survivors inside the vehicle.
One of the victims has been identified as 19-year-old Jay’Shawn Godfrey of Houston. The other two passengers were juveniles—17-year-old Markel Beagle and 15-year-old Makhia Beagle. Their deaths have left a deep void, especially among students and staff connected to Liberty High School.
Officials believe speed may have played a role in the crash, though they have not reached a final conclusion. The exact cause remains under investigation as authorities work to piece together what led to the vehicle leaving the roadway.
As part of standard procedure, an autopsy has been ordered for the driver. Investigators say they are examining all possible factors, including road conditions and driver behavior, to understand how such a catastrophic loss unfolded.
Back in Liberty, the impact is being felt in classrooms and homes alike. Students, teachers, and families are grieving together, holding on to memories of young lives filled with promise. Counselors and support services have been made available as the community struggles to process the loss.
For many, the pain is not just in the numbers, but in the names. Four people. Three of them young. All gone in a matter of seconds on a familiar road that now carries a different weight.
