After man dies trying to save woman struggling in water, friends mark anniversary with safety event

Friends are planning to gather Friday to remember a man who lost his life after jumping into Lake Minnetonka to save a woman who was struggling.

Twenty-nine-year-old Deveric "DJ" Stokes jumped into the water last July but never made it out. Now, his friends are hoping to raise awareness about water safety.

"He was an angel, anybody you ask, he’d do anything for you, he’ll do for you before himself, that was just his character, honestly and obviously, until the end of his life," said Cara Hunter, a friend of Stokes.

The group of friends was on a pontoon boat when trouble struck. At one point, Hunter’s sister began struggling in the water, and Stokes jumped in to try and save her. While she was saved, Stokes didn’t make it out. His body was found days later by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol.

"I don’t want anybody ever to have to go through this but, that’s why I’m doing this event, it’s the little things, like throwing a buoy out, little stuff can help somebody’s life," Hunter said.

The “Do it for DJ” event will be held at New Rules, located at 2015 Lowry Avenue North, from 4-7:30 p.m. and will include a water safety presentation.

"This is my way of moving forward and doing something positive for my community and for myself as well, it’s the only way I could think of honoring him," Hunter said.