Travis Hale, 24, from Dayton, lost his life while operating a jet ski after dark Saturday, Sept. 2. A 911 call came in to the Rhea County dispatch at 8:43 p.m. TWRA officers responded along with Rhea County Sheriff’s office, Rhea County EMS and Rhea County Rescue Squad to Chickamauga Lake, near Double S Road in Rhea County.

Hale was traveling from a nearby area with a man and woman on a second jet ski when he drove his jet ski away from the second jet ski and hit a private dock. It is illegal to operate a jet ski after dark. Jet skis are not equipped with proper lighting for night time use. An autopsy will be performed by the Rhea County Medical Examiner. The incident remains under investigation.