Community grieves after 2 young men drown in Screven County
SYLVANIA, Ga. - Two young men are dead after their boat overturned while they were fishing, according to the Screven County Sheriff’s Office.
It happened in a private pond off Poor Robin Road that was 10 feet deep with water at 44 degrees.
They were there with a third young man, and it was a common place for them to fish.
But it went wrong Wednesday.
Around 12:45 p.m., emergency services received the call.
“From our understanding, the two gentlemen were able to hook the fish and jerk back in the boat just when it hooked and then the boat overturned backward,” said Norman Royal, Screven County sheriff.
One man in the boat, 21-year-old Timothy Ward, was able to swim to shore and call 911. The coroner’s office tells us he only “barely” made it to the shore.
But it was too late for his companions, 22-year-old Elijahjoun Brodnex, and 23-year-old Demetrius Boyd.
Parents raise alarm after video shows gun come out during school fight
After what appeared to be a gun fell to the floor during a fight between students at Butler High School, parents are raising questions as to why there are no metal detectors in our public schools.
Brodnex was submerged for six hours and Boyd was submerged for three hours before emergency crews recovered them.
“It’s a tragic loss for our community,” Royal said. “These young boys were great football stars here in Screven County. Well-known, well-liked.”
Screven County High School’s head football coach, Ron Duncan, says that’s how he will them.
“It is just hard you know, when you have a tragedy like this,” said Duncan. “We have to really focus on the good things, on the life they led, the legacy they left.”
Duncan says they left behind the best kind of legacy.
“You know Eli was one of the best athletes we have had here, and you know smart kid, played quarterback for us,” said Duncan. “Demetrius could light up any room he walked into . He had an infectious smile.”
Community say they are rallying together to try to host different memorials for the families of the two deceased this weekend.
Ward was treated for his injuries and released, according to officials.
Leak shuts down part of fuel pipeline that runs through CSRA
One of the Colonial Pipeline’s main lines suffered a gasoline leak — and now officials estimate it will remain shut down for several more days.
The investigation into the circumstances that led up to these deaths is still ongoing, but no foul play is suspected at this time, according to officials.
Screven County EMS, Screven County Fire, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Effingham County Fire and Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, also assisted in the response.
Royal sends his thoughts and prayers to the families of these two young men and thanks all agencies that assisted and made their recovery possible.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
