It was a quiet Saturday afternoon near milepost 432 on U.S. Highway 377 South, just outside Coleman — but ordinary rain turned the road deadly. At about 2:44 p.m. on November 1, an 18‑year‑old named Brayden Lynn Baldwin lost his life in a two‑vehicle collision that has left his family, friends and the local community reeling.
According to the preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the crash involved a 2024 Freightliner truck tractor pulling a 1993 Monon semi‑trailer, traveling southbound and cresting a grade, and a 2017 GMC pickup driven by Baldwin, accelerating uphill in wet, rainy conditions. In the uphill climb, Baldwin’s pickup went off the right side of the roadway, apparently after he lost control in the slick conditions.
In a desperate attempt to recover, the pickup skidded across both southbound lanes and into the northbound lanes — where it collided with the Freightliner. The force of the impact caused the pickup to ignite. Tragically, Baldwin was pinned inside and sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman.
Investigators with DPS say they are still working to determine the exact factors that caused the crash — including roadway conditions, the effect of the rain, vehicle speeds and driver actions. The wet surface, uphill grade and the vehicle’s path off the roadway all appear to have played a part. Officials are reminding drivers of the increased risks when navigating hills, grades and wet roadways — especially in bad weather.
For Brayden’s family and friends, this is a sudden, heartbreaking loss. He was described as someone full of energy, promise and the joy he brought to those around him — a young life cut far too soon. The local Coleman community has rallied in grief, offering support and remembering his laughter, his hopes and the bright future ahead of him.
As the investigation continues, DPS has not released any final determination of fault or contributory causes. What is clear, though, is that a combination of weather, terrain and traffic proved fatal on an otherwise ordinary afternoon. More updates will be provided as more information becomes available — giving Brayden’s memory the justice and clarity his family deserves.
In the meantime, his passing stands as a sobering reminder: even familiar roads and seemingly routine drives can turn deadly in a moment — especially when conditions go awry.
