After a Good Samaritan loses his leg while helping a stranded motorist, a community rallies.
Braden Edwards was helping a complete stranger last month when his good deed nearly cost him his life.
The 20-year-old Stephenville man was traveling to see his girlfriend just after 11 p.m. on Sept. 9 after finishing his shift as a security guard in Bedford.
Braden was traveling down S.H. 183 in the rain when he came upon an accident.
“The car was in the left lane facing oncoming traffic,” Braden’s mother Kelly Edwards told Beneath the Surface News. “So Braden pulled over to check on the people inside.”
As Braden helped move the car out of the roadway, he was struck by another vehicle with such force that his right leg was severed upon impact.
“Braden was conscious the entire time and could see his leg lying under his car,” Kelly said.
The man who struck Braden said he hydroplaned on the slick roadway and didn’t see him until it was too late.
Another motorist called 9-1-1 and Braden was taken to the hospital.
“He left leg was shattered and he's had five surgeries,” Kelly said. “He is healing up for a prosthetic and is doing great. He’s in good spirits.”
Braden had planned to attend the police academy in January. He and his girlfriend had just become engaged two months before the accident.
Now everything’s on hold.
Braden is now having to switch his focus, and after he heals, hopes to attend training to become an EMT/firefighter, Kelly said.
And while the family remains upbeat and optimistic, they have been through more than their share of tragedy.
Braden and his older brother Quincy were involved in an accident on Thanksgiving Day in 2015.
Quincy did not survive.
“Braden has been through a lot,” Kelly said. “He is an amazing kid.”
A COMMUNITY RALLIES
Braden is a 2019 graduate of Stephenville High School and grew up in Erath County showing goats in 4-H
“He is an outdoorsman,” Kelly said. “He likes to hunt and fish and he loves music.”
And people love him.
Braden’s family and friends are hosting a fundraiser at the Rockin’ RJ Ranch (1488 PR 1562 in Stephenville) on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Family friend Johnny Barrett is cooking dinner, which starts at 7 p.m.
“We will be doing some barbecue chicken, pork loin, brisket and all the sides,” Barrett said. “Plates will be sold by donation only.”
There will also be music by Cheyenne Carrell and a live auction beginning at 7:45 p.m.
A few of the auction items include saddles, beef, gift certificates to Rough Creek Lodge, tickets to Six Flags Over Texas, Western prints and a gift certificate to Texan Tattoo.
If you would like to help Braden with medical expenses by donating an auction item, call 254-434-7719.
Or better yet, show up on Saturday and start bidding.