Damond E. Driggers, 48, Missing After Falling Overboard on Tombigbee River in Sumter County Search Intensifies

 In Sumter County, Alabama, search and rescue teams are continuing urgent efforts to locate 48-year-old Damond E. Driggers, a Millry resident who went missing after falling overboard on the Tombigbee River during the early hours of Sunday morning, in an incident that has left family members, friends, and local authorities deeply concerned as operations stretch into multiple days of active searching.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the incident occurred around 12:00 a.m. on June 14, 2026, near Gainesville, when Driggers was operating a 17-foot aluminum Excel duck boat. Investigators say he reportedly went overboard and entered the water, where he did not resurface, prompting an immediate emergency response from marine patrol units and conservation officers.

Officials with ALEA and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) launched coordinated search operations shortly after the incident was reported, deploying marine patrol boats and ground support teams to scan sections of the Tombigbee River and surrounding shoreline in an effort to locate any sign of the missing boater.

Preliminary findings indicate that Driggers was not wearing a personal flotation device at the time and was also not using the vessel’s emergency engine cutoff switch, a safety feature designed to automatically shut down the motor if the operator is thrown from the boat. Authorities note that these factors are being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

Search crews worked throughout Sunday, covering stretches of the river under challenging conditions before temporarily suspending operations due to darkness and safety concerns. Officials confirmed that efforts resumed on Monday, with teams returning to the water and expanding search zones as conditions allowed.

Authorities have also emphasized that Driggers is one of two boaters reported missing in Alabama over the same weekend, underscoring ongoing concerns about water safety across the state and the importance of consistent safety practices while operating vessels on rivers, lakes, and other waterways where conditions can change rapidly.

Marine patrol officials continue to stress the importance of wearing life jackets at all times and ensuring that emergency cutoff systems are properly engaged during operation, noting that such precautions can significantly reduce the risk of fatal or life-threatening outcomes in unexpected situations on the water.

As the search continues, the community remains hopeful for answers while holding onto support for Driggers’ family during this uncertain and difficult time. Authorities have stated that updates will be provided as operations progress, and additional resources may be deployed depending on river conditions and search developments in the coming days across the Tombigbee River region.