Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
On Thursday, July 13, at approximately 4:20 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to a three-vehicle crash on US Hwy. 90, near Lee. According to a report by the FHP, a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by Kendrick Jermaine Stokes, 30, of Quitman, Ga. was traveling westbound on US Hwy. 90 when Stokes' Grand Marquis veered into the eastbound lane. The front left of the Grand Marquis struck the trailer and tires of a semi trailer driven by Gary Lee Graham, 60, of Jasper, Fl., which was traveling east on US Hwy. 90. This caused the Grand Marquis to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The semi traveled southeast onto the south shoulder of the highway. The front left of a 1995 Mitsubishi Outlander, driven by Kennen L. Rodgers, 33, of Madison, which was traveling eastbound on US Hwy. 90 behind the semi, collided with the front of the Grand Marquis. The Grand Marquis continued to rotate counterclockwise. The Outlander rotated counterclockwise and traveled southeast across the centerline and onto the north shoulder of the roadway. The right side of the Outlander collided with several small trees and bushes. The Grand Marquis came to a final rest on US Hwy. 90, blocking the eastbound travel lane, facing southwest. The semi came to a final rest on the south shoulder of US Hwy. 90, facing east. The Outlander came to a final rest on the north shoulder of US Hwy. 90, facing northwest.
Stokes was transported to South Georgia Medical Center with fatal injuries. Stokes later died from his injuries. Rodgers and a passenger in the Outlander, Frederick Rodgers, Jr., 29, of Madison, Fl., were transported to Madison County Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the semi was uninjured. FHP had cited Stokes with failure to maintain a lane.