Family, friends search for man missing after Mathews Bridge accident
By Teresa Stepzinski, The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The disappearance of
However, they suffered a setback when gusty winds kicked up waves that nearly swamped a borrowed canoe, and blew it into a floating dock as they attempted to paddle out from the
Stephens' wife, Andrea, and his mother,
"Please, I need answers and I need help. Please. And I need your prayers," Golden of
Stephens and his wife, Andrea, have a 10-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son. He is an insurance salesman with the
"His car was in that accident, but we're not sure if Vernon was actually in that accident,"
"He's a wonderful man. He's kind-hearted ... genuinely a good man," said his brother-in-law
His family said Stephens, a
"Right now, what we're dealing with is a mystery. Our hope is that someone out there will come forward with information that will help us find Vernon and bring him back home safe," James said.
Stephens was the last known driver of a red Mitsubishi Galant, that was found rear-ended on top of the
The
In addition to searching by boat, Stephens' family also has been canvassing the area around the bridge, passing out missing person fliers with his photograph, description and contact information for searchers. Volunteers will be welcome to help with the search, James said.
"Anybody that wants to come out and help, anybody who has a boat, we beg of you please come out and help," James said.
James said he talked with Sheriff
"It's my understanding that they have told us everything that they can tell us," James said.
Stephens is African-American, 5-feet, 10 inches, 215 pounds with a medium build, brown eyes and short brush-length hair. He was last seen wearing a pink shirt, gray pants and dress shoes.
Times-Union photographer
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