3 dead in boat crash at Alabama fishing tournament
Three people died in a boat crash on an Alabama lake during a fishing tournament Wednesday morning, officials said.
The crash between two vessels on Lewis Smith Lake happened at 7:03 a.m. when a Nitro Bass Boat struck a Center Console boat, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.
The accident occurred on the second day of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational, Major League Fishing said in a statement.
'Our thoughts, prayers and deepest concern are with everyone affected by this tragic incident,' Major League Fishing said.
The dead were identified as Joey M. Broom, 58; John K. Clark, 44; and Jeffrey C. Little, 62, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.
All three were on the Center Console boat, the agency said. Clark and Little were thrown overboard and drowned, it said, while Broom died of injuries in the crash.
'Troopers with ALEA's Marine Patrol Division are still actively investigating this incident,' the agency said.
The third and final day of the tournament has been canceled, Major League Fishing said.
'This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization,' Kathy Fennel, the MLF's executive vice president and general manager, said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
29-04-2025
- The Independent
Runaway kangaroo on the loose named Sheila shuts down Alabama interstate
A runaway kangaroo named Sheila shut down a stretch of interstate in Alabama on Tuesday before state troopers and the animal's owner wrangled the wayward marsupial. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the kangaroo was spotted Tuesday hopping along the side of Interstate 85 in Macon County, which is between Montgomery and Auburn. The sight snarled traffic, and state troopers shut down both sides of the interstate for the safety of motorists. The animal's owner and troopers were able to capture it, Capt. Jeremy J. Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. 'When somebody said there was a kangaroo of course I didn't believe it, and nobody believed it. But I'm looking at him,' Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson said in a Facebook live video as the animal was captured. The owner used a dart to tranquilize the animal. Brunson's video showed the drugged kangaroo being carried to a vehicle to be returned to its home. The animal was captured on the side of the interstate between Tuskegee and Auburn, the sheriff said. 'We see a little bit of everything here," the sheriff said. The animal's owner, Patrick Starr, told The Associated Press that the animal's name is Sheila and that she escaped from her enclosure. 'She's back home safe. She's up. She's not sedated anymore. She's eating. She's drinking. She's not injured,' Starr said. The kangaroo was treated by the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, he said. The family runs a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, but Sheila is just a personal pet, Starr said. "She's a sweet pet. I'm glad she's back home, and I'm glad everybody slowed down a little bit," he said. Austin Price, who took video of the animal hopping down the interstate, said he had to briefly question if he was seeing things. 'I hear my grandmother yell, 'Is that a kangaroo?' ' Price said. He assumed it was probably a deer until he looked. 'And yeah, it's a kangaroo.'
NBC News
25-04-2025
- NBC News
Alabama man dies days after he was Tasered during arrest
A Black man who was Tasered and left hospitalized after an arrest earlier this month has died, and his family is demanding justice and accountability. John Daniel 'LJ' Scott Jr., 39, died Tuesday from his injuries sustained in an April 15 arrest by the Decatur Police Department, his family's lawyers said. The family's attorneys said Scott "was in the midst of a mental health crisis" and should have received immediate medical care, but instead "endured excessive force during his arrest." "His condition worsened after being transported to Morgan County Jail, where he was left untreated until it was too late,' the attorneys said. It's not clear what the official cause of his death was. The family is now calling for a thorough investigation into the actions of the officers involved. Decatur Interim Police Chief Nadis E. Carlisle Jr. said the Madison County Sheriff's Office is officially leading the investigation into the circumstances of Scott's death, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and FBI may be asked to provide additional support and resources. The arrest Decatur police responded to a 911 call on April 15 placed by Scott's mother, "who requested assistance due to a mental health crisis involving her son," police said. The officer spent nearly an hour "engaging with Scott before clearing the scene without incident," police said. Later that same day, at 8:15 p.m., officers were dispatched to a disturbance call at Brookridge Apartments and found Scott, "who was observed in the parking lot, sweating heavily and exhibiting erratic behavior." Morgan County EMS was immediately requested. Officers were notified that Scott had an active warrant out of Morgan County, and officers encouraged him to voluntarily board the ambulance for a mental health evaluation and care, which he refused. Body camera footage released April 18 shows that officers spent about 20 minutes trying to get Scott to enter the ambulance. At the start of the footage, Scott was seen sweating excessively and wiping his face with his shirt. He was articulate and was seen shaking hands with officers, trying to make light conversation and jokes. Officers repeatedly encouraged him to enter the ambulance, or else they'd have to arrest him and take him to jail on the warrant. Scott later appeared nervous, asking to take a moment and a few breaths. He is seen on the footage staying near the ambulance door, but he was hesitant to enter. After about 20 minutes, the officers stated that they would arrest him and moved to do so, instructing him to turn around. Scott appeared to be mildly panicked and unable to turn around. Decatur police said in a statement that Scott "became combative" when officers moved to arrest him. As at least four officers moved in to arrest him, Scott is seen in the footage falling to the ground and starting to yell and howl. Officers struggled with Scott on the ground, trying to get him to turn onto his stomach and put his arms behind his back. A Taser is heard being deployed several times as officers repeatedly order him to turn onto his stomach. "I can't breathe!" He's heard yelling from the ground in the body camera footage. Officers are heard telling him to let go of their legs as they try to get him to comply. Once he was cuffed, the officer ordered him to get up and into the car, but he was unable to and had to be pulled up off the ground by multiple officers. 'Due to his significant physical size and strength, officers were forced to employ measures in response to his resistance (including Taser deployments) with multiple unsuccessful attempts to gain control,' police said in a statement. He was transported to Morgan County Jail and placed in a cell. Over an hour later, the jail staff "noticed Mr. Scott was exhibiting signs of medical distress," and an ambulance was called, police said. He was transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital and on to Huntsville Hospital for treatment. Police said his arrest came after "a series of incidents likely linked to both medical and mental health struggles compounded by suspected drug-induced psychosis." Meanwhile, attorneys for the family say the tragedy "follows a disturbing pattern of incidents within the Decatur Police Department" and is part of "broader systemic failures" in how law enforcement responds to those in mental crises. It comes as the city of Decatur is reeling from a high-profile police excessive force case. Steve Perkins, 39, was fatally shot outside his home on Sept. 29, 2023, by Decatur police as his truck was being repossessed. In that case, Mac Marquette is charged with murder in Perkins' death. His trial is set to start on June 9. The shooting sparked protests and unrest in the northern Alabama city of 60,000 people.
The Guardian
17-04-2025
- The Guardian
Three dead after boat collision at Major League Fishing event in Alabama
A fishing tournament on Alabama's Lewis Smith Lake turned deadly on Wednesday morning when two boats collided during competition, killing three people and injuring at least three others. The crash occurred around 7am during the second day of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitational, prompting the league to cancel the remainder of the event. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the collision involved a Nitro bass boat and a center-console style vessel. One man, identified as Joey M Broom, 58, of Altoona, was fatally injured when the bass boat struck the vessel he was aboard. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other men, John K Clark, 44, of Cullman, and Jeffrey C Little, 62, of Brandon, Mississippi, were thrown overboard during the crash. Both men drowned. Their bodies were later recovered from the water. Officials confirmed that multiple individuals were injured in the crash, though their identities and conditions have not been made public. ALEA continues to investigate the incident. MLF confirmed that one of its competitors, Flint Davis of Leesburg, Georgia, was involved in the accident. Davis's role in the crash remains unclear. His boat was still on the lake later in the day, according to local reports. A park manager noted uncertainty as to whether all vessels involved in the crash were officially participating in the tournament. 'This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization,' said Kathy Fennel, MLF's executive vice president and general manager. 'Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.' The Tackle Warehouse Invitational had been scheduled to run through Thursday, with professional anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000. In light of the fatal accident, MLF officials made the decision to cancel the final day of the tournament out of respect for the victims and their families. The crash took place on Lewis Smith Lake, a sprawling 21,000-acre reservoir located roughly 70 miles north of Birmingham, popular with both recreational boaters and competitive anglers. In a statement, MLF said it is working closely with ALEA and emergency management officials and will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
