Bearden Denies Wife Received Special Treatment From Highway Patrol

House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden says his wife didn’t receive special treatment from the State Highway Patrol after a train derailment, because of who she is. The Patrol flew Debbie Bearden from the derailment in Hermann to the Capitol in a Patrol helicopter. Bearden says he didn’t request the Patrol pick up his wife and wasn’t even aware of the derailment until told of it during session. A spokesman for the State Highway Patrol denies Debbie Bearden got special treatment. He says the Patrol had room for Mrs. Bearden on the helicopter and offered her a ride to the Capitol, something it does for others in similar situations.