The Schleicher County community and those who knew him are mourning the tragic and untimely loss of Ethan Wolfe, a 21-year-old from Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose life was cut short in a devastating rollover crash on December 13.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the fatal crash occurred at approximately 8:56 a.m. on U.S. Route 190 near milepost 358 in Schleicher County. Ethan was a passenger in a 2006 Toyota Tundra traveling westbound when the driver, 23-year-old Caleb Lee Nolen of Eldorado, failed to maintain a single lane, crossed the center stripe, and rolled the vehicle. The truck came to rest upside down in the eastbound lane and improved shoulder, facing north.
Authorities said neither the driver nor Ethan were wearing seatbelts. As a result, Ethan was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. He was transported to Schleicher County Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
Investigators later determined that the driver showed signs of intoxication, with TxDPS reporting clues observed during field sobriety tasks. Nolen sustained minor injuries, was treated at a hospital, and was later charged with intoxicated manslaughter before being booked into the Schleicher County Jail.
TxDPS noted that fog and dew were present at the time of the crash, though road conditions were dry.
Ethan’s passing has left family, friends, and loved ones in deep grief. Remembered as a young man with his whole life ahead of him, his sudden loss is a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life can be. As the community mourns, thoughts and prayers remain with Ethan’s family and friends as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy. May Ethan Wolfe rest in peace and never be forgotten. 🕊️