(SMYRNA, TN) The man who drowned on J. Percy Priest Lake this past Sunday (June 19, 2022) has been identified as 62-year-old Billy Stanford Capps of Rockvale. The accident occurred near the Stewart Creek Boat Ramp, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s sergeant said.
Capps’ wife, Lisa, said he fell out of the back of a boat, Sgt. Nick Coble said. “She had attempted to throw him a life jacket but he was unable to get it,” Coble said.
Rutherford County Fire Rescue and Metro Nashville’s Dive Team used sonar to locate Capps and recovered his body.
Also responding to the call were Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services, Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency and Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management.
See more of the top news stories from WGNS Radio:
1.) UPDATE: Driver charged with vehicular homicide and DUI in the fatal crash that killed 11-year-old Cole Johnson in Murfreesboro
2.) Alleged Rock Burglar in Murfreesboro Arrested
3.) UPDATE: Truck spilled macaroni and cheese all over I-24 in Murfreesboro area
Previous News Story on Drowning BELOW:
(SMYRNA, TN - SUNDAY 4:15PM) Divers recovered the body of a Rockvale man who fell out of a boat Sunday (6/19/2022) near Stewart's Creek Boat Ramp on J. Percy Priest Lake, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s sergeant said.
The man who died was 62-years of age and lived in the Rockvale area of Rutherford County. Reports indicate he was on the boat with his wife when the accident occurred. His wife reportedly tried throwing him a life jacket, after he fell overboard. However, he was unable to grab the flotation device. His name is still being withheld.
MORE: RCSO Deputy Sgt. Nick Coble said, "The man and his wife were boating when he fell. She attempted to throw him a life jacket, but he was unable to grab it."
Rutherford County Fire & Rescue and Metro Nashville’s Dive Team responded and searched the area with sonar.
Coble continued, “Firefighters and the dive team had two different hits with the sonar and a dive team was sent in to check it out. The dive teams recovered the body.”
Also responding to the call were Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services, Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency and Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management.
Previous Report - (SMYRNA, TN 3:30PM) Emergency responders continue searching for a man believed to have fallen from a boat near Stewart's Creek Boat Ramp.
Reports indicate the male toppled off his boat and never resurfaced.
Stewart's Creek Boat Ramp has been closed while drones, boats and divers search the area. Deputies on-the-scene encourage on-lookers to stay away from the accident scene.
Teams from Rutherford and Davidson County are on-the-scene. Joining the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in the search are Metro Nashville Dive Team, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Rutherford County Fire & Rescue, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services and Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency.
Previous Report - (SMYRNA, TN 2:45PM) There was a water related accident on J. Percy Priest Lake Sunday in the Smyrna area. The TWRA, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and other emergency responders were called to the Stewart's Creek Boat Ramp shortly after lunch on Father's Day around 12:45 to search for what onlookers and fishermen called "a missing boater."
