This long Fourth of July holiday weekend has been marred by tragedy on state roadways and waterways.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, traffic accidents have claimed at least 12 lives since Friday evening. And the search has ended in Southeast Georgia for a father who drowned while jet skiing.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division, searchers recovered the body of Steve Elkins of Atkinson, Georgia, Sunday morning, July 2. The 55-year-old father went missing on Thursday when he fell off his jet ski into the Satilla River in Brantley County.
Elkins’ son witnessed his father drown.
“The son began to swim towards him when he saw the father struggling to swim and then go under,” says DNR Law Enforcement Division Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon.
Man struck by boat prop
In Northwest Georgia, a man was injured on Lake Allatoona when a pontoon boat propeller struck his foot. DNR officials say the man was holding onto the pontoon as it pulled into Glade Marina.
No injuries were reported on Northeast Georgia’s waterways over the weekend, but game wardens did issue a number of BUI citations.
Officials remind boaters and swimmers to follow all safety regulations, wear life vests, and avoid drinking while driving boats and other watercraft.
