Local News
Body of Missing Boater Dedric Brown Recovered from Hillabee Reservoir in Calhoun County
EASTABOGA, Ala. — A search for a missing Eastaboga boater ended Wednesday when rescuers recovered the body of 54-year-old Dedric L. Brown from Hillabee Reservoir in Calhoun County.
Brown was last seen around 7:30 a.m. Monday, September 7, on an aluminum jon boat on the reservoir. He was reported missing approximately four and a half hours later, around noon.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Chief Jeremy Burkett said multiple agencies immediately began search-and-rescue operations after Brown was reported missing.
The search continued until Wednesday afternoon, when a team with Christian Aid Ministries located Brown’s body at approximately 2:10 p.m.
Authorities said Brown was found approximately 26 feet beneath the surface of Hillabee Reservoir and within the area where the initial search had been concentrated.
Following the discovery, a dive team began recovery operations. Brown’s body was successfully recovered at approximately 2:38 p.m.
Officials have not released a cause of death or explained the circumstances that led to Brown’s disappearance. Those details remain under investigation.
The recovery effort involved numerous law-enforcement, fire, rescue and emergency-management agencies from across the region.
Participating agencies included the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office; Pell City Police Department/Dive Team; Clay County Rescue Squad; Cane Creek Fire Department; Oxford Police Department; Randolph County Rescue Squad; Etowah County Sheriff’s Office/Rescue Squad; Christian Aid Ministries; Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency; Alabama EMA; and ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division.
Authorities thanked the agencies and rescue personnel who participated in the search and recovery operation.
The investigation remains active as officials work to establish the circumstances surrounding Brown’s disappearance and death.
AIKEN, S.C. — A 19-year-old Aiken woman was killed Monday night after the vehicle she was driving left the roadway and crashed into a tree before catching fire, according to the Aiken County Coroner’s Office.
The fatal single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 9:12 p.m. in the 400 block of Monetta Street. A Honda Civic was traveling northbound when it veered off the roadway, struck a tree and burst into flames.
The driver was identified as Damira Hammonds, 19, of Aiken.
She was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 9:43 p.m.
A passenger in the Honda Civic survived the crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries. Authorities have not released additional information about the passenger’s condition.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy is expected to be scheduled later this week in Newberry to assist in determining the official cause of death.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. Officials have not released additional details about what caused the Honda Civic to leave the roadway.