SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY — A father and son fishing trip on the Rappahannock River turned tragic last month in Spotsylvania County, claiming the lives of former William & Mary men’s basketball player Danny Sumner and his 6-year-old son, Donovan.
The tragedy unfolded March 22, when the Fredericksburg resident and his son ventured their way to a local boat landing off of Legacy Lane sometime before 5 p.m., the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said in a Wednesday news release.
Sumner’s wife became concerned when the pair had not returned by 9:45 p.m. and contacted the sheriff’s office. Sumner’s vehicle was found parked and his cellphone was sitting on a river dock.
The sheriff’s office dive team responded and found both victims soon after.
“Initial evidence indicates that the son, who had just caught a fish, fell off the dock and into the river,” the sheriff’s office said. “Danny entered the water in an attempt to assist his son, but tragically drowned himself. The Sheriff’s Office sends our thoughts and prayers to the family and community.”
The family has established a GoFundMe to help Madeline Sumner navigate the loss of her husband and oldest son.
“Danny was a loving son, brother, husband, father, friend, teammate and educator to those who knew him,” the campaign reads. “Danny was known in his community for being the guy to help without being asked. A devout Christian, he exemplified how to live a Godly lifestyle no matter the setting.”
Six-year-old Donovan, known as “Don,” is remembered as “a kind and gentle spirit who loved playing with his baby brother Danilo, neighborhood friends, and just recently accomplished riding his bike without training wheels.”
Danny Sumner was the sole source of income for the family, the GoFundMe said.
In a public Facebook post, Madeline Sumner this week thanked the community for its support.
“To everyone who has called, texted, posted/DM’d, stopped by, stayed with us, loved on us, hugged us, thought about us, prayed for and with us, I cannot thank you enough,” she wrote. “It has emboldened me to keep going each day thus far.”
Used with permission from InsideNoVa.com
