21-Year-Old Markeal Dickey
A former Florida A&M University student was killed in a car accident on Friday night.
According to the Tallahassee Police Department, 21-year-old Markeal Dickey was the passenger in a single-vehicle crash on the 1900 block of Portland Street.
Details of how the crash happened have not been released, but it has been confirmed that Dickey and a friend were en route to a friend’s house when the vehicle struck a tree less than a quarter mile away from their destination.
The driver, 21-year-old Lamare Davis, was transported to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare with non-life threatening injuries.
Dickey was a Lincoln High School graduate and former FAMU student. While attending FAMU, Dickey ran for freshman class president. He later transferred and earned an Associate of Arts from Tallahassee Community College and was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Marketing at Florida State University.
FAMU Student Body President Tonnette Graham was serving as FAMU Student Senate President while Dickey was a freshman in pursuit of student leadership. Two years later, she remembers his passion and desire to serve.
“Once a Rattler, always a Rattler. Markeal left a lasting impression on every student he befriended during his time on the Hill. All we can do is stand together in support of his family and the community during this hour of bereavement,” said Graham.
While Dickey only spent a short time at FAMU, fourth-year pre-pharmacy student, Cheniqua Brown, remembers Dickey's presence and spoke very fondly of him.
“He was the highlight of the class of 2016's freshmen year. When he decided to leave that next fall, we still remained friends,” said Brown. “I keep checking my phone as if he is going to call me and say he's sorry for missing the lunch date we had planned for Saturday. But he's not and it hurts. I don't understand why it had to be him. It hasn't hit me yet…my friend is gone.”
Despite how sudden this tragedy has occurred, Dickey’s friends are choosing to keep the faith and hold on to his memory in the most positive way that they can.
“I can honestly say that Kellz was a brother to me our freshman year, from running our campaign to the plethora of adventures we all had. He knew how to have fun, however, he also knew how to handle business and I admired him a lot for that,” said Dickey’s freshman running mate, Jordan Smith. “I just pray that through this tragedy we will all make sure his legacy lives on…because I know that's what he would want.”
Markeal Dickey was the son of Melvin and Dr. Marilyn Dickey, and had three siblings: Roosevelt Ealey, Melesa Dickey and Desmond Dickey. Funeral arrangements are pending and have not yet been finalized.