Lebanon man dies in Old Hickory Lake boating accident
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 21-year-old man died Sunday after being thrown from a boat on Old Hickory Lake.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) said officers responded to a CPR-in-progress report at around 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.
The initial investigation indicated Keaton “KJ” Mills, of Lebanon, was ejected from the vessel he was riding in when the operator crossed a wake. The vessel operator immediately went to his aid, tossing a throw cushion and jumping in to assist him. The operator was able to get Mills to a nearby vessel where CPR was administered.
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Wilson County first responders arrived on scene, and Mills was transported to Vanderbilt hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officials said Mills was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.
According to TWRA, there have been seven boating related fatalities on Tennessee waterways in 2024. This is the second fatality on Old Hickory Lake this year. The incident remains under investigation.
Wilson County Schools Public Information Officer Bart Barker said Mills was a 2020 graduate of Wilson Central High School. He was studying to become a teacher of agriculture, according to Barker.
Mt. Juliet Fishing shared their sorrows on Facebook, saying Mills was an alumnus and boat captain.
“KJ Mills was in a boating accident late yesterday evening on Old Hickory that tragically took him from us,” the group said. “KJ was a member of the Mt. Juliet Fishing team for four years, after graduating he wanted to give back so he was a boat Capt since there. This year was no different than any other, except this year he was getting to Capt his younger brother Owen Mills. KJ will be greatly missed on this team. We ask that you please pray for his family during this difficult time.”
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Timothy Mills, KJ’s father, told News 2’s Adam Mintzer this was a rare time when his son took to the water without proper safety equipment.
“All it took was one wake and a small boat and tragedy happened. KJ was too comfortable and didn’t have his life jacket on,” he said. “KJ was too comfortable, and this isn’t shame on KJ, this is shame on everyone. We all do it.”
Even in grief, Timothy took time to brag about his eldest son.
“KJ was a better person than I can ever strive to be,” he said. “I try and be as good and genuine as I can be, and KJ amazed me with his heart and how he just wanted to help.”
Mills was serving as a boat captain – a coach – for his younger brother’s high school fishing team. He also helped Timothy with home repairs after his father suffered a heart attack. KJ was also putting himself through college with money from his own lawn care business, pursuing his goal of one day being able to inspire others to love the outdoors.
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“KJ just wanted to do good. Not for show, not for the sake of anything beyond helping—that’s what made KJ unique,” Timothy said. “KJ was there for everybody.”
Timothy added that from now on, whenever he is boating, he will be wearing his life jacket – even when going slow, he says if the boat’s motor is on, his life jacket will be on, too.
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