Johnny Collins III’s family is in mourning after he died trying to prevent his two stepdaughters from drowning in the Ocmulgee River at Amerson River Park.
According to officials, on the evening of July 15, the two children were washed into deeper water. Their stepfather, Collins, 28, attempted to save them, but all three drowned. Following hours of searching, rescuers found the bodies of Summer McRae, 7, Skyler Worthen, 10, and Collins.
Family members spent the night assisting in the hunt, trudging through the darkness and mud in the hopes of a miracle. Samantha Taylor, Collins’ sister, said she received the call about her brother’s disappearance that night and was at the location with rescuers and community members.
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“I never would have thought that a river would be the reason my brother is no longer here,” Taylor told 13WMAZ.
“I just really wish he was here because we had so much more to do and so many more things to do as a family,” she added.
According to her brother, Kenshaw Adkins, he is still having trouble dealing with the loss.
“I’m just still having trouble just wrapping my mind around it,” Adkins said.
He described Johnny as more than just a brother, saying, “He was a beloved local DJ whose passion for music made him a familiar and uplifting presence in the Macon community.” “Beyond the stage, he was a loving father to four children and a loving father figure to Summer and Skyler, embracing them as his own.”
Adkins said he knew his brother was a good swimmer, praising Collins’ bravery that night. He said, “It’s just, and I didn’t look at it, like he basically gave his life to save two girls, and it says a lot about him.”
Adkins expressed his hope that people will remember Johnny for his sacrifice and heart despite the heartache.
“I’m going to make sure that me, my family, his friends continue on his legacy, and he’s never forgotten,” he said.
While the family mourns, Adkins has urged Bibb County officials to take action to improve river safety so that no other family suffers the same loss.
Collins’ community is also mourning his death while recognizing his courageous efforts. Collins became popular in Macon for his musical talent, mentoring others, and promoting local musicians.
A friend, Adam McDuffie, told WGXA, “It was his call to duty. He couldn’t let that happen—knowing he was a father himself.”
“He showed me how to become a musical engineer, how to be a better performer, a better artist, and a better friend,” Shannon Howard, another close friend, revealed.
Now, members of the community are advocating for a special day or even a street to be named in his honor. Friends say they will always remember Collins’ commitment to his kids and community. Fundraising efforts are already underway to support his family and guarantee his legacy is carried on.
“He’s a 100% hero, a soldier. I’ve just been thinking about the Purple Heart,” McDuffie remarked. “We should all come together and do what we can to keep his name alive.”
According to previous 13WMAZ reporting, this is the 11th drowning in Amerson River Park since 2020.
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