One teenager died, and a 22-year-old man was injured in a devastating jet ski accident on Weiss Lake near Cedar Bluff, Alabama.
According to police, 19-year-old Daegen Vaughn was operating a 2021 Yamaha WaveRunner with Mason Sterner, 22, as his passenger when the accident occurred on Saturday, May 20.
The crash occurred around 10:30 pm when the jet ski, driven by Vaughn, collided with a tree on land after running aground. First responders pronounced Vaughn dead at the scene and immediately transported Sterner to a hospital in Georgia.
Vaughn, a former student of Trion High School in Georgia, was well-known for his accomplishments in wrestling and football. He was regarded as a “star” athlete. Vaughn’s dedication and support for his teammates were well-remembered, and his coaches spoke of him with pride.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the investigation into the accident is ongoing. Daegen Vaughn’s cousin, Taylen Vaughn, shared a message on Facebook, along with a photo taken just hours before the tragic incident, expressing her grief and the immense void his death has created in her life.
Vaughn and Sterner resided in Summerville, Georgia, approximately 90 miles northwest of Atlanta.
