College Athlete Seriously Injured in Brownwood Sledding Accident

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A 19-year-old college athlete named Peyton Mueller was seriously injured in a sledding accident in Brownwood, Texas on Sunday. Mueller, a freshman goalkeeper on the Howard Payne University soccer team, was being pulled behind a pickup truck on a pallet sled when the driver lost control, causing Mueller to crash into a parked truck at high speed. Emergency crews responded and Mueller suffered serious injuries. The 19-year-old driver, Jayden Michael Garcia, was charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

Why it matters

Sledding accidents can result in severe injuries, especially when involving vehicles. This incident highlights the risks of unsupervised recreational sledding and the need for safety precautions. The GoFundMe campaign also demonstrates the community's support for the injured college athlete as she recovers.

The details

According to police, Peyton Mueller was one of several people taking turns being pulled behind a pickup truck on a pallet sled in the parking lot of Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood. When the 19-year-old driver, Jayden Michael Garcia, lost control of the truck, it caused Mueller to crash into a parked vehicle at high speed, resulting in her suffering serious injuries. Emergency crews were called to the scene and Mueller was transported for medical treatment.

• The sledding accident occurred on Sunday, January 26, 2026.
• Peyton Mueller, a 19-year-old freshman at Howard Payne University, was injured in the crash.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The driver, Jayden Michael Garcia, was charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and booked into Brown County Jail. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help cover Peyton Mueller's medical expenses as she recovers from her injuries.