Baldwin High School Student Drowns in Oconee River

Today, the halls of Baldwin High School were quiet as students and staff mourned the loss of 14 year old Devin Simmons.

According to the Milledgeville Police Department, Simmons was swimming across the Oconee River Sunday evening. He was halfway across when he attempted to turn back. Simmons got caught in the current and drowned.

“It’s been really hard, seeing that seat and him not being there with us,” says math teacher Kerri Dietrich.

She describes Devin as a bubbly boy with a gift for making his classmates laugh. Dietrich had her students write down their memories of Devin as a way to cope with the loss of their friend.

“I just asked them to write things that they remembered about him, and I just want to put it together for his mom,” says Dietrich.

According to coroner John Gonzalez, Simmons’ death was ruled accidental. The Milledgeville Police Department and coroner’s office are working to put together a safety course to prevent future accidents.