Crime & Safety
Former Milton Basketball Star Drowns in Indiana Reservoir
Dai-Jon Parker, 22, was hanging onto an inner tube being pulled by a pontoon boat when he was knocked into the water and never resurfaced.
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A former Milton High School basketball player has been identified as the drowning victim who died Thursday in Indiana.
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University of Indianapolis basketball star Dai-Jon Parker, 22, and another man were being pulled on an inner tube by a pontoon boat in the Morse Reservoir when they were knocked into the water by a large wave, Fox 59 reports.
The Indianapolis Star reported crews from Cicero Fire Department, Noblesville Fire Department and the Department of Natural Resources were dispatched to the Hamilton County reservoir after a 911 was made to dispatchers.
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The boat, which was occupied by two women, was able to find one man, but was unable to locate Parker. His body was recovered around 5:50 p.m. May 28 at the bottom of the lake in roughly 11 feet of water, the Indianapolis Star stated.
Police stated Parker was not wearing a life jacket at the time his body was recovered and “was not a strong swimmer,” the Fox news station added.
Before transferring to the University of Indianapolis, Parker was a guard for the Vanderbilt University’s basketball team, Sports Illustrated said.
The University of Indianapolis released a statement on its Facebook page regarding Parker’s passing:
The entire University of Indianapolis community mourns the loss of Dai-Jon Parker, a senior student-athlete with a vibrant personality who had a great future ahead. This is a tragic situation for everyone involved, and UIndy is offering counseling and support to the people closest to him. Please keep Dai-Jon’s family, friends and teammates in your thoughts and prayers.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Parker was a member of the 2009-10 Milton boys basketball team that won the state’s Class AAAAA championship.
David Boyd, who was Milton’s basketball coach while Parker played on the team, also expressed his sadness on Twitter.
“This is a sad and tragic day for the Milton basketball family: Dai Jon Parker has passed away today in a tragic accident,” he tweeted overnight Friday. “God rest his soul.”
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Photo credit: Facebook
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