Latest news with #DixieSpeedway
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Missing 17-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Georgia Lake: ‘Family Are Heartbroken by the Tragic Loss'
Jackson Cole Croft has been found dead in Allatoona Lake, Georgia, a day after being reported missing Law enforcement began searching for Croft, 17, after receiving reports of a boat circulating without an operator on Thursday, June 5 Local divers recovered Croft from 22 feet in the water amid a search for him on FridayA missing teenager has been found dead in Georgia. At around 5:21 p.m. local time on Thursday, June 5, law enforcement received reports of a boat circling at Allatoona Lake without an operator, 11Alive reported, citing Georgia DNR Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon. A search was then launched to find missing 17-year-old Jackson Cole Croft. The teenage boy's body was located by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Game Wardens a day later, McKinnon told PEOPLE. "The game wardens ran SONAR until dark and Cherokee County Fire had divers on scene, in case they were needed for a recovery," he said of the search for Croft. "At dark, the search was suspended and resumed at 7:00 a.m. on June 6th. " "The agencies involved in the search included Georgia DNR Game Wardens, Cherokee County Fire, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, and US Army Corps of Engineers," McKinnon continued. "Georgia Game Wardens located Jackson Cole Croft, age 17, of Woodstock, with side scan SONAR at 3:38 p.m. on June 6th in 22 feet of water. "He was found several hundred feet from where his empty boat was found circling last night. He was recovered a short time later by Cherokee County divers," McKinnon concluded. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Croft had been part of Woodstock's racing community and recently began driving Dixie Speedway's No.9 car, Today reported. On Friday, Dixie Speedway shared a tribute to Croft on Facebook. 'The Swims and Green family are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jackson Croft,' they wrote, alongside a picture of the No.9 car. 'This precious family has been a huge part of Dixie Speedway's history and dear friends for many years.' - Mia Green, VP.' The caption added, 'Jackson has been around racing his entire life with his dad, Jason Croft, competing in the Super Late Model division. He started his racing career this year and was on a path to make his mark in the industry. "We would like to ask everyone to please keep the entire Croft family in their prayers during this very difficult time," they concluded. Read the original article on People
USA Today
09-06-2025
- USA Today
Body of 17-year-old boy found in Georgia lake: Local racing, rodeo communities mourn loss
Body of 17-year-old boy found in Georgia lake: Local racing, rodeo communities mourn loss "He started his racing career this year and was on a path to make his mark in the industry," Dixie Speedway Vice President Mia Green wrote about Croft in a Facebook post. Authorities located the body of a 17-year-old boy in a Georgia Lake on Friday after he went missing the day before. Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Game Wardens located Jackson Cole Croft just before 4 p.m. ET on Friday, June 6 from Allatoona Lake, Georgia DNR Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon told USA TODAY. Croft was recovered shortly after, from 22 feet in the water, by local divers. Located in northwest Georgia, Allatoona Lake is about 35 miles north of Atlanta. Croft was reported missing on Thursday, June 5 after a boat he was on was found circling in the lake with no driver, McKinnon previously told USA TODAY. Georgia racing, rodeo communities mourns loss Croft and his family were avid members of the racing community in Woodstock, Georgia. The 17-year-old had recently begun driving racing car No. 9 at the Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, about 30 miles north of Atlanta. "This precious family has been a huge part of Dixie Speedway's history and dear friends for many years," Dixie Speedway Vice President Mia Green said in a Facebook post on June 6. "Jackson had been around racing his entire life with his dad, Jason Croft. He started his racing career this year and was on a path to make his mark in the industry." The Tri-County Racetrack in Brasstown, North Carolina also extended its condolences on social media. "The entire Tri-County Racetrack family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jackson Croft, a vibrant young man whose life was tragically cut short," a Facebook post reads. "While words can never ease the pain, please know that your racing family stands with you in prayer, love, and support." Croft was also involved in Georgia's rodeo community, specifically through RockN'5L Rodeo Company's Jr. Pro Division. To celebrate Croft's life, the rodeo company, located in Cedartown, Georgia, is hosting a tribute to the late teen on Saturday, June 14. Attendees are encouraged to wear green, as Croft's favorite color was camo green. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
