Boat hit straight-on the railroad bridge crossing where the Nueces River enters Lake Corpus Christi around 4:45 pm, November 3, 2013. The operator stated he was going about 5,000 rpm. He chose to go under that part of the bridge because he thought it was the same height from the water as the 534 road bridge. The bow of the boat kicked to the right. The two girls in the front were knocked about but stayed where they were. One woman was ejected, landed on the port side of the boat and fell into the water with a PFD she was using as a lap cover. Another girl was thrown up and landed on the aluminum base plate that had ripped up from the floor. The operator was hit on the right side of his face and pinned by the chest as the console peeled up and the t-top pushed back onto the motor, crunching the cowling. Each man on either side of the operator were thrown back in the boat. The lanyard attached to the driver disengaged from the kill-switch, but the motor did not turn off. The bow of the boat struck the starboard side concrete pillar, bouncing the boat to the trees and flood debris immediately downstream from the middle concrete pillar. Two girls in front called 911. Girl who landed on aluminum plate laid down on boat floor. The two men pulled the console off the operator. One man then jumped in the water for the ejected woman. The operator got the boat free from the trees, picked up the two people in the water and drove the boat to shore. No one was wearing a PFD at the time of the accident. Only 6 PFDs were located after the accident. The boat had all other required safety equipment.

Alcohol Influence: BWI is still under investigation, awaiting results from operator's voluntary blood sample.
Swinney Switch