Young Man Drowns at Jackson Lake

A candlelight vigil was planned for yesterday, May 25, at 8 p.m. at Rose Bowl held in remembrance of Stedman Jackson, an 18-year-old who was the victim of an accidental drowning on Jackson Lake Monday.

Mr. Jackson and several friends were at an unoccupied residence at Turtle Cove where they had access to the lake. The young men, ages 16-19, were swimming from a dock at the residence, and playing around, according to Pfc. Wil Smith with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

They decided they would swim across the cove from where they were on Nuthatch to the area across the cove that is on Flamingo Drive.

Mr. Jackson was the next-to-the-last one to leave the dock, heading for the other side, the young men reported. Before the last young man left the dock, Mr. Jackson was about one-third of the way across, and he got distressed and went down. His friend who had not already started across jumped into the water and swam to him to try to help him stay afloat. He was not successful, and Mr. Jackson drowned.

The youths called 911 from a home on Flamingo Drive at 7:02 p.m., and emergency officials responded. The last young man off the dock was able to tell the authorities where he had last seen his friend. A dive team from Butts County was called in, along with the DNR sidescan sonar equipment. However, the dive team arrived first.

Once the divers began their initial search where his friend saw him go under, they found him. The body was recovered, however, Mr. Jackson was dead.

The body was sent to the state crime lab, said Pfc. Smith, not because there was any suspicion of foul play, just because it is standard procedure in an accidental death such as this.

Pfc. Smith also said most drownings that his office has worked in recent times have been similar to this where the swimmer misjudges the distance involved. Pfc. Smith said he and other investigators questioned the seven young men involved, and they have no reason to believe it was anything other than a terribly unfortunate accident.

He said all the young men were distressed and distraught and that he could tell they were saddened and upset, feeling the loss of their friend. He also said they said they had all been swimming together several times, and that Mr. Jackson was a good swimmer. He said there was no indication of any alcohol or drugs being involved.

Services for Mr. Jackson are scheduled for this Saturday, May 28, at 1 p.m. at St. James A.M.E. Church, 514 Funderburg Drive, Monticello. Revs. Donna Marie Calix, pastor, and Gayle Middlebrook will officiated. Burial will be at the Jackson Cemetery at Campbell Crossroad.

Smith and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.