The family of a Tri-Cities teen who drowned wants to prevent more tragedies

The family of Tri-Cities teen who drowned in 2018 just before graduating is remembering him by raising money to buy life jackets for free public use.

Dmetri Kennedy-Woody’s family donated 50 life jackets in August to Safe Kids Benton-Franklin. The donated life jackets are hung on boards of loaner life jackets near waterways in Richland.

“These parents have poured their hearts and souls into making sure that no other family has to endure a similar tragedy,” said Kathleen Clary-Cooke, Safe Kids coordinator.

Dmetri, who was an all-Mid-Columbia Conference football wide receiver, was two weeks from graduating from Hanford High School in Richland in May 2018 when he drowned.

Dmetri, 18, of West Richland, and three friends jumped from the 20-foot-high railroad bridged above the Yakima River near Highway 240 on Memorial Day.

Only the three friends made it out of the water, which has naturally occurring eddy currents and also eddies around the bridge pylons.

Safe Kids has life jackets for free loan from child to XL adult on boards set up in parks and boat ramps in Benton and Franklin counties, including Kennewick, Pasco and Richland locations.

This story was originally published September 4, 2019 at 12:38 PM.