UPDATE: Drakes Creek Search (Body Found)
STORY UPDATED……Victim’s name released…
HENDERSONVILLE TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – This will be an update to a report we brought you on our Facebook page Friday evening.
On Friday evening, an empty boat crashed into a wall on Drakes Creek in Hendersonville off Cherokee Road. A search for the boat’s operator began and lasted all night.
The investigation evolved into a search for one missing person. It appears that after the driver became separated from the boat it traveled across the lake and crashed into a wall. The search area was focused directly across from the Drakes Creek boat ramp.
Around 6 PM Friday evening, the Hendersonville Fire Department (B shift) was dispatched to the scene for a possible drowning.
According to the Hendersonville Fire department, with the aid of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Sumner County EMS, the driver’s body was located and recovered. The driver was the apparent victim of a drowning. The victim was recovered around 1:30 a.m.
UPDATE: The TWRA is now releasing more information about the accident, including the name of the victim.
According to the TWRA Saturday evening, their agency was dispatched to Drakes Creek around 6 pm. Their officers were notified of a possible missing person in connection to a boating accident.
Upon arrival, officers determined that a single male left Creekwood Marina in a small jet-driven boat. The driver was seen by several witnesses operating in the area.
The vessel (driven by Jeremy Key, 52, of Hendersonville) was later found unoccupied going in circles. Hendersonville Police/Fire secured the vessel and there were indications that the vessel may have hit a retaining wall.
Side-Scan-Sonar was used by TWRA officers and a location of interest was identified. Boating investigators deployed a Remote-Operated-Vehicle (ROV) and found the body of Mr. Key in 12 feet of water. Divers with Hendersonville Fire entered the water and made a recovery a short time later.
Blood was drawn and will be sent to TBI for analysis. No autopsy will be performed per the Sumner County District Attorney. The vessel will be held at the TWRA Stones River facility.
If any new details emerge as the investigation unfolds, we will bring it to you.
