The tight-knit town of Rocksprings is in mourning after a 17-year-old student died Sunday while helping move athletic equipment near the high school track, authorities said. Edwards County Sheriff J.W. Guthrie identified the teen as Samson Reyes and said he suffered multiple head injuries when a large pole shifted at about 5:30 p.m. Several Rocksprings ISD staff members were present at the time, and no other injuries were reported.
According to KSAT, Guthrie detailed the incident in a preliminary report and said deputies are gathering statements from everyone who was present and reviewing any available video footage. The Edwards County Sheriff's Office has not released additional information about how the pole came to shift, and the investigation remains open. KSAT identified the student as 17-year-old Samson Reyes.
Small District, Big Loss
Rocksprings is a small ranching town, and the single-campus Rocksprings K-12 district serves the entire area, so a tragedy on campus hits the whole community at once. District data compiled by The Texas Tribune show the campus enrolls roughly 200 students, underscoring how many classmates, teachers, and families are directly touched by Reyes' death.
The district's website lists the campus on Highway 377 and provides contact information for families seeking updates. As of now, Rocksprings ISD has not released a detailed public statement about the accident, leaving many in town waiting for official word while sharing grief privately.
Student Athlete
Public athletic pages list a Samson Reyes on Rocksprings' rosters and meet records, suggesting he took part in school sports, according to MaxPreps and state meet listings. Those entries offer a small glimpse of Reyes' school life while investigators continue working to clarify what happened on Sunday evening.
Investigation Under Way
The Edwards County Sheriff's Office is collecting witness statements and reviewing any possible video evidence as part of its ongoing investigation, KSAT reported. The sheriff's website lists contact numbers for tips and non-emergency inquiries, and officials say they are working to determine the sequence of events that led to the student's fatal injuries.
The Rocksprings ISD website lists phone numbers and the campus location for families seeking information, and district officials together with the sheriff's office are urging anyone with relevant footage or observations to come forward. This is a developing story and Hoodline will update this article if officials release further details.
