June 12, 2026 - Texas Game Wardens in Shelby and Sabine counties responded to a single-vessel incident on the Sabine River near Joaquin around 2:30pm Saturday, June 6.
A witness reported that Matthew Freeman [Mathews], 21, of San Augustine, was operating a flat-bottom boat at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vessel and collided with a tree. Freeman was ejected from the vessel and did not resurface. He was wearing the vessel’s emergency engine cut-off switch lanyard but was not wearing a personal flotation device.
Freeman was recovered around 5:30 p.m. by Texas Game Wardens and the Logansport Fire Department Dive Team. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agents also assisted with the incident.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Freeman’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Texas Game Wardens encourage all boaters to wear a life jacket, use their engine cut-off switch and operate at safe speeds appropriate to the conditions.
(Editor's note: Freeman's funeral was held Friday, June 12, 2026, at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine)
