Jackson County officials have identified the 40-year-old man, who died Saturday while swimming in Garcitas Creek.
Creton Hopeton Walker, originally from Bronx, NY, drowned about 2:21 p.m., Jackson County Sheriff Andy Louderback said.
Walker visited the creek Saturday with a group of five friends, including his girlfriend Brook Wengler, of Victoria.
Louderback said Walker attempted to swim to the opposite creek bank and climb a cliff of rocks about 40 feet away.
After jumping off the rocks and swimming about half way back to where his friends were gathered, a 7-year-old boy, who was not in Walker’s party, noticed Walker go under the water.
“The boy’s mother called 911,” Louderback said.
Walker’s death was ruled accidental, and no autopsy was ordered.
Walker does not have family in Texas, and appeared to be unemployed and possibly homeless at the time of his death.
Louderback said his last known address was listed in Dallas, but he had been living in Victoria since about 2005.
His last known place of employment was Buffalo Wild Wings in Victoria.
Buffalo Wild Wings manager Alisha Faltysek said Walker worked as a cook for about five months, and was “let go” about six months ago for performance reasons. Faltysek later learned Walker was concealing his inability to read.
“He was one the sweetest guys ever. He would do anything for anyone. He was just an all around good guy,” Faltysek said. “I hate that this happened.”
Lolita Fire Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeremy Petru, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Capt. Rex Mayes responded to the emergency call.
Walker was pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Dwayne Taylor.
Walker’s body was transported to Victoria Mortuary Service. Funeral services are unknown.
As reported here.
