 Victim 1and his girlfriend Operator 2 had borrowed two jet skis from their next door neighbor and were using them going up and down the river from the boat ramp area at Winnebago Park to the roller dam and back.  Operator 2 admitted that she and  Victim 1 had a couple of beers at the park prior to going out on the water and also had a couple beers prior to leaving for the park.  She stated that initially she was riding the jet ski that  Victim 1was on, however he was concerned that she would get in trouble with it because it was the faster machine, so they switched.  Witnesses advised that Victim 1and Operator 2 were riding up and down the river and often coming very close to the roller dam on several occasions. They stated that Victim 1drove into the roller dam at a high speed until the water pouring off the dam struck the jet ski turning it over and tossing Victim 1into the water. Victim 1struggled for about five minutes trying to get out of the boil before it appeared he went unconscious.  Victim 1was wearing a lifejacket and the autopsy report verifies that he drowned.
Cedar Rapids                  